How can you afford to live in a $200,000 house, with eight children, and only make $30,000 per year?
I will say to answer your questoin of how we live in a $200,000 house with such a low salary, we were offered the house right after our daughter died and a significant portion of the house was gifted through the benevolence of friends, family and a foundation. We do not make $100,000 a year as you claimed and never have. We bought that house in 2003 when my salary was much higher and it is difficult to keep up with our mortgage. We have considered downsizing, but want to honor the generosity of those who helped us with the home by trying to stay in it and it is a bad sellers market anyway.
He did ask Jolie Justus if he could be on the Blue Ribbon Panel. He wasn't invited to the Bi-State Autism Initiative meeting. He asked me to get him an invitation. I did. He came and sat two seats away from us so that no one would think that he was affiliated with us. He left early and stopped by and spoke to Jolie Justus. After the meeting was over she came up to us and told us that he asked her if he could be on the Blue Ribbon Panel. He also states that he didn't want to be on the Blue Ribbon Panel because he was going to be on the Missouri Autism Commission. The list for the Missouri Autism Commission just came out and he is not on it.
As for the Autism Blue Ribbon Panel, I did not speak to Senator Justus about letting me on the Commission. Senator Gibbons, who leads the Senate told me he had wished he had known of my interest in autism before the apointments because he would have wanted to appoint me. We did discuss having me added to the panel after the appointments, but I instead plan to serve on the Autism Commission as a House member. It would have been difficult for me though to make all their hearings with my interim commitee and service on the Missouri Children's Services Commission of which I am now serving as Chairman.
He made it appear that his invitation to the ball was a big deal. Anyone can go to the ball and no one needs his personal invitation. We went to the Autism Rally, in Jefferson City, and he stopped two feet in front of us to talk to his talking heads. Then he walked right past us and completely ignored us. He met with us in November of 2006. That was almost 2 years ago. We met at Atlanta Bread Company twice. It should have been three times, but he didn't show up for the third visit after requesting the meeting. He met us at the church once. We met at Dairy Queen once after the meeting of the legislators at the district office. When the Governor came to Children's Mercy he ignored us until the governor spoke with us. Then you acknowledged us. We haven't received correspondence from you in six months except for the email thanking me for inviting you to Beauchamps and you were not invited. We asked you not to campaign that night, after finding out that you were coming and that's exactly what you did. You turned the event into your event and acted as though you had put it together or that we had put it together for you.
From the first meeting in November, to you attending the ball, to the other follow up meetings, I have spent more time with your group than any other constituency, y. Our focus January through May is the legislative session and the three autism bills I am working. My legislative work on autism will continue in future sessions as well in addition to serving on the Commission we are creating. I did not even know you were at the Autism rally. I wish you would have come to me. Had I known you were there, I would have been happy to speak to you.
Here is a portion of his "Urgent Request"
I urgently need your help. To continue my fight for the disabled and their families, I need to raise significant funds for my re-election this year. My ability to influence funding and services for the disabled for years to come is related to how much I can raise for my campaign.
March 31st is an important deadline, as April quarterly reports for campaign financial disclosures will show contributions received through March 31st. Any and all contributions that I can receive by March 31st will greatly help our cause of advocating for the disabled.
My goal is to raise up an army of grassroots supporters by the hundreds and thousands who will stand with me to fight for the disabled and give them a stronger voice in Jefferson City.
My passion driven priorities for the disabled is very innovative and ambitious, but I can't do it without your help. I need an army of grassroots supporters to stand behind my campaign so that I can raise enough funding to assume future chairmanships and leadership in the House.
Contributions of any amount up to and totaling $325 per person in the primary cycle (now through August 5th) and $325 in the general election cycle (8/6 through 11/4). Couples can give up to $650 now in two separate checks for $325. Children 14 and over can do the same.
For those who can't give that much, even $30 is helpful and just $3 can count you among our coalition for the disabled and make a statement as we mobilize an army of supporters to fight and advocate for individuals with disabilities.
Most of his constituents are broke from fighting with the school district that he is in bed with.
Your assumption about my ability to receive campaign funds relating to helping families is misunderstood. I will continue my passion and fight for individuals with disabilities whether I receive contributions from those in the disabilities communities or not. What I was conveying is that the more I receive from the autism and disabilities communities, whether large or small gifts, such as a $5 check I received last week, the more influence I will have for them to effect laws and increase funding for them.
On another note, Grisamore told the Tribune that "One aspect of the bill that was "lost to compromise," Grisamore said, "were tax credits for parents to send their children to another school if their local public school wasn't able to provide an adequate education."
"We couldn't find common ground between the public educators and the school-of-choice folks," Grisamore said.
Grisamore said some lawmakers were nervous about the potential of public funding going to private schools.
What he didn't say is that he voted no on a bill that would have allowed our children the right to go to a school that could provide them services if our school wasn't. That is why the Board and District are endorsing him.
As for the schools, you really need to rethink your assumptions in the interest of those who are in it with you and your ability to influence the schools positively for children with autism and special needs. You write I can't have a strong relationship with the schools and help you. Actually, I can and do. I have a strong relationship with the schools and have their respect and ear. I am also helping you and all groups related to autism through the legislation I am passing into law. What I do is at the state level. We appropriate education funding and pass laws governing schools. We cannot tell R-7 what to do. However, I am working on a future pilot program on autism and special needs for R-7. You wrote in one blog I voted against a bill to help your kids. I have a bill that would help 100% of children with special needs statewide--nearly 140,000--not just up to 10% with autism. Missouri is way behind other states on autism and special needs and we are incorporating best practices and model language from other states and will be progressively incorporating the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Panel--all 36 hopefully, in time.
The Superintendent assured me that Jeff Grisamore didn't have the district's ear and that the meetings between the district and me had nothing to do with Grisamore.
"Rep grisamore is getting ahead of himself. There have been no follow up discussions about any ideas that may have been mentioned in some setting. Honestly, I do not recall discussing this committee but I may have forgotten. It happens. My invitation to discuss the issues is for you only at this time. You and I can discuss together where all of this goes from there. I hope this clarifies my intention. I do not go into this knowing where we will end up but do feel our dialogue has the potential to make us a better district and help you better understand our challenges. I am really looking forward to our meetings."
As for a committee on autism and special needs in R-7, I have spoken to the Superintendent and Board, which relates to why he spoke to you. If that committee is formed, you will have one voice, although I would like to see D on it too, along with others, such as J. That will be up to R-7. Given your antagonism toward me and them, you are most fortunate you are being considered to be on such a committee. I would encourage you to consider changing your approach for the sake of LSASG's credibility and influence with R-7 and beyond. Your current approach is only isolating and alienating yourself from me and others who are doing much to help children with autism and their families.
State Representative Jeff Grisamore (R-Lee's Summit) is facing a tough uphill re-election bid this year. Sources inside the Republican circles tell us that Grisamore is lazy at fundraising and is just not liked by fellow Republicans. He also lacks name recognition.
This may explain why he has resorted to massive funding from the Pay Day Loan Industry:
THIS QUARTER GRISAMORE TOOK OVER $2,000 FROM THE PAY DAY LOAN INDUSTRY.
THAT EQUATES TO OVER 40% OF HIS TOTAL DOLLARS RAISED THIS QUARTER AND MORE THAN HE RAISED LAST QUARTER TOTAL!
As I said, the payday checks were unsolicited and from a person helping me on autism, so I was reluctant to reject them, given I seek to restrict that industry. There are some checks, like from the Casino or adult industries that I would refuse outright.
Again, I am sorry you feel offended or let down. At the same time, I hope you realize no one in the Missouri General Assembly is doing more for children with Autism and their families and those that care for them than me and it will continue to be among my top legislative priorities. I am willing to put this behind and work with you if you are willing. If you choose to continue the current antagonism, I cannot do so. The choice is yours.
With you for children with autism,
Jeff
http://www.gonemild.com/COPI2005/2005-431027276-02976830-9.pdf
You have now started getting your charitable donations through a clearing house so that you don't have to make them public.
Alliance Charities, the donor advised fund I direct at Servant Christian Community Foundation (SCCF) Contributions are tax-deductible and you will receive tax receipt from SCCF.
Alliance Charities
c/o Servant Christian Community Foundation
706 N. Lindenwood Drive
Olathe, KS 66062
You can also make secured credit card contributions online at www.alliancefororphans.org
If you have questions, please call Jeff Grisamore at 816.225.5695 or email him at jeff@alliancefororphans.org
Why choose a Giving Fund?
Your SCCF Giving Fund can serve your church or ministry in a wide variety of ways – as a capital fund, endowment, community outreach, or other purpose. Its many benefits include:
Flexibility – Accept all kinds of non-cash gifts – from real estate to business interests to restricted securities – and reduce your legal liability in the process.
Simplicity – Manage all aspects of your Fund online and leave all of the administrative tasks to SCCF (such as liquidation of assets).
Opportunity – Create new opportunities to influence your supporters on planning their giving – and how to get the greatest joy and impact out of their giving.
Privacy – Your Fund is confidential and not subject to public record searches.
Legacy – Deepen the relationship that your supporters have with your church or ministry, and strengthen your church or ministry by implementing a system of financial support for years to come.
Creating A Culture of Generosity
That's the vision behind Servant Christian Community Foundation (SCCF).
SCCF helps people give creatively and efficiently. We provide tools, resources and expertise that enable givers to give more generously and to use the most tax-efficient methods for giving. Our donor advised funds are tailored to accommodate your giving needs. SCCF serves families/individuals, churches, ministries, and professional advisors.
Why a Christian Community Foundation
There are at least ten major reasons why you should seriously consider establishing a Foundation Fund with the Servant Christian Community Foundation. Of course, responsible stewardship and the satisfaction of contributing resources to be used for Christian causes are the most important reasons of all.
1. A Private Foundation Alternative. A Foundation Fund with SCCF is very much like having your own private foundation without the drawbacks. Your Fund can even be personalized, i.e., 'The John Smith Foundation Fund.' By channeling your gifts through SCCF rather than establishing your own private foundation, you avoid costly legal fees, restrictions on contributions, excise taxes, and penalties often associated with private foundations.
2. Give Now, Distribute Later. One of the unique aspects of SCCF is that you can make your charitable contribution, take a current year tax deduction, but elect not to distribute some or all of those funds until a later year. You have up to 10 years before distributions must begin from the SCCF fund you have established.
3. Giving Appreciated Property. You may give non-cash charitable contributions including real property, limited partnerships, stocks, notes, etc. You get your full tax deduction, even if SCCF holds the asset for a period of time before it is converted to cash. To make gifting more simple, SCCF can receive gifts of marketable securities directly into a SCCF brokerage account.
4. Higher Deductions than Private Foundations. Making a donation to SCCF allows you to take a deduction of up to 50% of your adjusted gross income as opposed to 30% if you had your own foundation. Certain gifts to private foundations are limited to cost basis deductions where as the full-appreciated value may be deducted when donated through SCCF.
5. Simplified Giving. SCCF can simplify your giving and save you time by administering the distribution of gifts for you. For instance, should a donor wish to make a large donation of property or stock and wish to divide the proceeds among many different worthy causes, SCCF can sell the property and distribute the proceeds in accordance with your recommendations.
6. Future Giving. SCCF can be named the beneficiary of your Charitable Remainder or Charitable Lead Trusts, and SCCF can be owner and beneficiary of an insurance policy on your life. At your death the proceeds can be used to set up a Foundation Fund for distribution as designated by your children or appointees. The contribution you make to SCCF to pay insurance premiums may be tax deductible.
7. Anonymity. You have the option of making your gift(s) anonymous. The source of a gift to a particular recipient need not be revealed if desired by the donor.
8. Wills/Life Insurance. SCCF can be named in your Will to receive a portion of your estate. In such a case, either your will, or the contract with SCCF signed during your lifetime, can designate the charities to receive the distributions from your Foundation Fund. You can also designate the person, or persons, who will make the distribution decisions regarding your Foundation Fund after your death.
9. Gifts to Needy Individuals. SCCF can assist you in your ministry of benevolence through our affiliate, Helping Hands Ministries, allowing you to make tax-deductible payments to needy individuals who are not related to you
About Servant Christian Community Foundation
SCCF is one of a nationwide network of Local Christian Foundations that are affiliated with The National Christian Foundation (NCF). Since 1982, this network has granted more than $1.6 billion to over 15,000 churches and ministries worldwide.
SCCF offers expert counsel and innovative, flexible giving solutions to help:
Individuals and families make a greater impact with their charitable giving, give practically any asset entrusted to them, and balance their giving with income needs
Churches and ministries offer their supporters creative ways of giving, which can lead to significant new funding for their organization
Professional advisors (financial planners, CPAs, attorneys, and others) present charitable giving expertise to their clients, which turns their practice into a ministry and builds stronger relationships
The National Christian Foundation, with whom SCCF is affiliated, is a member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA).
Resource Network. You will have access to Christian advisors and fellow donors who can help you think through your stewardship or estate questions:
How much should I leave my children?
Is an endowed family foundation wise?
What happens if a ministry or organization to which I've left money changes direction after I die?
Where do I find Christian attorneys and other Christian professionals?
MY SALARY RANGED FROM $48,000 TO $88,000 OVER SIX YEARS. THE TAKE HOME PAY AT A HIGH OF $88,000 WAS $6,000 A MONTH. HAVING BEEN A PASTOR, MISSIONARY AND NON-PROFIT LEADER WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED FRUGALLY AND SACRIFICIALLY. WE HAVE NO SAVINGS OR RETIREMENT. WE ARE PASSIONATELY COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE TO PUBLIC CHARITIES AND IN PUBLIC OFFICE
You can't have a strong relationship with the schools and help us. You have to be neutral in the very least. You promised us that you were going to have a round table with the superintendent and us. That never happened. You promised us that you were going to have a round table with the governor and us in August, 2007. That never happened. Frankly, nothing that you told us that you would do with the district ever happened. There was the evening that one of your counterparts told the district that we were staging a protest at the administration building and you told the district that you would take care of it. You came out to the parking lot and told me that the district had chosen you to stop us. There was never a protest planned and it was just to make us look bad and you look good.
I HAVE BUILT A STRONG RELATIONSHIP WITH LEE'S SUMMIT R-7 PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND HAVE THEIR RESPECT AND EAR AS I FIGHT FOR EXPANDED FUNDING FOR AUTISM AND SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMMING AND SERVICES. I AM NOT A "COMPANY MAN" AS WAS WRITTEN. WE OVERSEEE FUNDING APPROPRIATIONS FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION AND LAWS THAT GOVERN PROGRAMMING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
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