Friends of Fells 2007 Annual Appeal!           Photo:  Mike Ryan The Spot Pond scene depicted in the photograph is one of many natural places found in the Fells, enjoyed by young and old alike. The 19th century visionaries who worked to create a vast protected people’s forest park would be happy to know that today the Fells is actively embraced by so many. Nature needs protection! During a time of rapidly vanishing open spaces we realize that for the Fells to remain an oasis of natural beauty it is critical to contribute to its protection. One Stoneham resident put it this way: “Our family moved to Stoneham in 1865 and has been here for six generations. During this span of years, we have had many occasions to enjoy the Fells land area in many ways. Now we feel compelled to support all who are trying to save the irreplaceable and beautiful Fells woodland.” Development threats: Because the threat remains serious Friends of the Fells members are often asked about opposition to the massive “Langwood Commons” project proposed for the former hospital site across from Spot Pond. Thankfully over 4,000 citizen comment letters to the state environmental affairs office have prevented the developers from wrecking the Fells landscape and historic parkways. The Friends will continue to provide strong leadership in this  fight – and we will work to ensure that only beneficial development  takes place at the siteand other sites where developers have taken aim at the Fells.		Friends 2007 Annual Appeal (continued) It is only because of your generous donations that we have been able to prevail – we know first hand there is power in giving! In the year ahead we expect the developer to release another environmental impact report. Your contributions mean we will be ready for another large public campaign to prevent the Fells from turning into a traffic nightmare. Accomplishments are being noticed! With your help we have gained recognition for protecting Fells resources. Friends leadership has ensured completion of both the Tudor Barn and Wright’s Tower restoration projects – recognized recently in an article written by the Washington DC National Trust for Historic Preservation. Your generous donations to our operating budget have enabled us to coordinate hundreds of volunteer hours to restore miles of Fells hiking trails and to ensure continued publication of our quarterly hike calendars and newsletters as well as upgrading our website. For nearly two years a team of four botanists, led by Friends board member Bryan Hamlin and assisted by the Harvard Herbarium, has undertaken a compre- hensive survey of the plants in the Reservation. So far the team has identified over 650 vascular plants in the Fells - including rare species -  and work continues. We have set our sights high! In the year ahead, the Friends hope to install a sophisticated new management system for the ‘business’ of welcoming new members, fulfilling map orders, and much more. We have also invested in training for our board of directors and have embarked on an ambitious grant providers program. Join us in our goal to expand programs to serve public enjoyment and appreciation of this natural treasure! Please send your tax-deductible contribution today to help us protect and enhance the Fells Reservation.  Checks can be made out to The Friends of the Fells and sent to 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham, MA 03180 Thank You! Mike Ryan   Executive Director Andrew Celentano Board Chairman      Photo: Mike Ryan		The Fells – and the Friends – appreciates your help! There are many ways of helping the Friends of the Middlesex Fells Reservation to preserve and protect the Fells now and for future generations.  The following outline describes common gift methods.  For more information, please write Friends of Middlesex Fells Reservation, 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham MA, 02180; or email: friends@fells.org or phone: 781.662.2340 Gifts by Check Simply make out your check to “Friends of the Fells” and mail it to us at 4 Woodland Road, Stoneham, MA 02180.   Your charitable gift is tax- deductible. .    Gifts of Securities Ask your financial advisor about the tax benefits of donating appreciated securities to the Friends of the Fells. Matching Gifts Many employers offer to match the charitable gifts of their employees.  If your company has this policy, ask your benefits office for instructions. Gifts from your IRA If you are age 70-1/2 or older, you may make cash gifts totaling up to $100,000 a year from your traditional or Roth IRA to qualified charities without incurring income tax upon withdrawal.  The provision is effective for tax years 2006 and 2007 only, so you must act by December 31 to take full advantage.   Planned Giving – Bequests A bequest – providing for the Friends of the Fells in your will – is perhaps the simplest form of a planned gift.  In most cases, the language can be brief and straightforward, such as: “I hereby give Friends of the Fells, a Massachusetts non-profit organization, a bequest of $_____ to be used for its general charitable purposes.” Please be sure to let us know about your decision, so your gift can be properly acknowledged. Qualified Pension Plans Designating Friends of the Fells as the beneficiary to your IRA, Keogh, or other qualified pension plan can have significant tax benefits to you and your survivors.  Assets in these plans accumulate without being taxed, but when they are distributed, substantial taxes can result.  Designating a charity as the beneficiary, while leaving other types of assets to surviving family members, can maximize your ability to provide for both your family and the charity. Life Insurance Life insurance can be used to maximize the power of the charitable gifts you can afford to make.  It can also be a versatile wealth replacement tool for estate planning.  For instance, if you name Friends of the Fells as the owner and the beneficiary of your life insurance policy, all premiums you pay will be tax-deductible gifts and, upon your death, the Trust will receive the full benefits of the policy.  Additionally, the cash value of the policy, accumulating over time, can be accessed should the charity need it.