Golden urges Georgians to Give to National Guard Fund
December 7, 2006 -- Atlanta, GA -- State Sen. Tim Golden (D-Valdosta) on Thursday urged residents of the 8th Senate District to continue to show generous support to the Georgia National Guard Foundation through a state income tax check-off.

“I am very pleased that Georgians donated more than $107,000 this year on their state tax returns to support members of our National Guard who have been called into duty overseas, as well as their families,” said Golden, original sponsor of the legislation creating the assistance fund check-off. “Ninety-eight percent of this amount came from individual $1 donations. This is a very encouraging result for the first year of the Foundation, and we hope that amount will double as more Georgia taxpayers become aware of the check-off.”

In 2005, Golden sponsored legislation that established the tax check-off system and raised awareness of the Georgia National Guard Family Foundation fund to support the families of the troops serving in the war on terrorism.

The Georgia National Guard Family Support Foundation Inc. is providing financial assistance to the members of the National Guard; which to date over 9,000 guardsmen have been deployed since September 11, 2001, the largest deployment of the Georgia National Guard since World War II. Georgia National Guard members are also on duty along the U.S.-Mexico border, Golden noted. The fund helps those families with medical expenses, rent, car payments, utility bills and other needs while they are away.

“As the time for filing our 2006 tax returns approaches, the check-off is perhaps the most convenient way to support these families,” Golden said. “But it is not the only way. You can help organize a grassroots community effort to raise funds for the foundation, solicit corporate donations or make a personal (tax deductible) contribution at any time during the year.”

Donations may be made directly to:

GA National Guard Family Support Foundation
ATTN: Lt. Col. Jay A. Peno
GA Department of Defense
935 East Confederate Avenue
Atlanta, GA 30316-0965

For additional information on the Foundation, a chartered 501(c)3 charitable organization, call 404-624-6420 or visit www.dod.state.ga.us.