Fight Childhood Obesity and Reduce Your 2008 Tax Liability

Are you willing to join the crusade against Childhood Obesity?

I have a huge personal mission to eradicate this unnecessary epidemic. In case you don't know, I was once the "fat kid". Fortunately, I was introduced to exercise and healthy eating when I was 12 yrs old and it has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. I have spent the last 14 yrs living in complete freedom when it comes to my weight, my health, & my relationship to food and exercise; even more, I get to enjoy that freedom for the rest of my life. I wish the same blessing for all children who struggle with their weight.

If you've struggled with your weight at any age, you know how it can have a negative impact on other areas of your life. Currently over one third of our children 6-18 years of age are suffering from obesity. Not only does this dramatically affect the quality of life during their important formative years, it seriously impacts their health & well-being for the rest of their life.

How you can you help me & the children of Arizona!

I've recently taken on a volunteer position as nutrition coach for TEAM Chances for Children AZ. Chances for Children is an organization whose mission it is to fight childhood obesity by providing nutrition education & fitness programs to children in Arizona, so that they can begin a healthy lifestyle now. Team Chances is a fundraising team training to walk or run the PF Changs Rock 'n Roll 1/2 marathon & marathon on January 18, 2009.

Along with the athletes who I am coaching, I am training to run the full marathon and fundraising to assist the less fortunate children of Arizona. I invite you to assist me and consider making a generous donation to the cause and give these kids a chance to succeed in life. To make an online donation – go to www.chancesforchildrenaz.com/teamchances/melissaguthrie. Click the orange link at the bottom, enter your donation amount and be sure to type Melissa Guthrie in the blank box. If you prefer to make a donation via check, please make your check payable to Chances For Children and contact me for the mailing address.

NOTE: Donations made by Dec 31, 2008 are tax deductible for your 2008 taxes. And if you are in Arizona you can receive a tax credit for your donation! See Tax Credit info below.

To learn more about Team Chances and how they are making a difference inthe lives of 1000s of children in Arizona and how you can get involved inthe crusade (see http://www.chancesforchildrenaz.com/ calendar for more details):

Thank you for your support,


Melissa Guthrie
BSc Nutritional Science, BSc Exercise Physiology
ACE Certified Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor
New Leaf Certified Metabolic Technician
Triathlete/Runner
Healthy Cooking Enthusiast



Tax Credit for the Working Poor – Dollar for Dollar Credit on your Return
The state of Arizona provides an excellent incentive for you to help the working poor. If you donate money to a “Qualified Charitable Organization, Helping the Working Poor”, you can receive a dollar for dollar credit on your Arizona state return. You can use the credit to reduce your tax liability (dollar for dollar). If you are already due a tax refund, the credit simply increases your refund!

This credit is the Working Poor Tax Credit and you can receive a credit of up to $400 (married filing jointly) or $200 (single taxpayer.) The Working Poor Tax Credit can be taken in addition to the credits for public school contributions and/or school tuition organization contributions.
To be eligible for this credit, you must have itemized deductions and deducted charitable contributions on a prior year’s Arizona tax return (1996 or later). This prior year is your baseline year. You must exceed the baseline year contribution by the amount you donate to the qualified organization. The amount you donate to the qualified organization becomes your tax credit. The working poor donation can also be included as an itemized deduction on your Federal tax return if you are itemizing deductions.

Please refer to Arizona Form 321 and instructions for the annual reporting requirements of the credit on your Arizona individual income tax return. For information on the tax credits, visit the Arizona Department of Revenue Web site here http://www.enewsbuilder.net/eletra/gow.cfm?z=ascpa,308455,bbMlQj3h,2730778,bdyqNHV.