Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, SEpTEmbER 1, 2023 Wreaths Across America and American Legion Auxiliary Enter Partnership Nonprofi ts agree to work together to help support common missions for veterans and their families. C OLUMBIA FALLS, Maine, and CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Aug. 29, 2023 – Today, national nonprofits Wreaths Across America (WAA) and the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations. Together, they will build a stronger awareness of each group’s common missions while supporting fundraising eff orts nationwide. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Columbia Falls, Maine, WAA is best known for its annual wreath-laying ceremonies each December. The organization’s yearlong mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Now in nearly 4,000 communities nationwide, WAA volunteers are committed to sharing the mission through education and stories of service and success. ALA is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families. Their members also support the mission of The American Legion to improve the quality of life for our nation’s veterans. Founded in 1919, the ~ Legal Notice ~ ALA is one of the oldest patriotic membership organizations in the United States. The ALA has been essential in increasing veterans’ welfare and rehabilitation nationwide, including participation in the annual National Wreaths Across America Day events. The signed MOU between the CITY OF EVERETT MASSACUSETTS PROCUREMENT OFFICE INVITATION TO BID Sealed Bids for the City of Everett, Massachusetts, to supply and deliver Holiday Greens and Decorations contract 24-18 will be received by the Procurement Office, Everett City Hall, 484 Broadway, Room 14, Everett, MA 02149 until 1:00 pm on September 19, 2023 and at that time and place the bids will be publicly opened. Contract Documents may be obtained, at no charge, on or after August 29, 2023 at 9 a.m. from the City of Everett’s website Home - Everett, MA - Official Website (cityofeverett.com). If, at the time of the scheduled bid opening, the bid opening location shall be shut down as the result of an emergency, the bids will be due and opened at the same time and location on the 1st business day the building is able to re-open. Bids will be accepted until that date and time. It is the responsibility of prospective proposers and or bidders to check that they have received all addenda. It is the responsibility of the prospective bidder to keep current the email address of the bidder’s contact person and to monitor that email inbox from the City of Everett, including requests for clarification. If any changes are made to this IFB, an addendum will be issued. Addenda will be emailed to all bidders on record as having picked up the IFB. The City assumes no responsibility if a prospective bidder’s designated email address experiences technical problems, including those with the prospective bidder’s computer, network or internet service provider (ISP) cause email communications sent to/ from the prospective bidder to be lost or rejected by any means including email or spam filtering. Bids shall be awarded to the responsible and eligible bidder offering services at the lowest price for all items. The City of Everett reserves the right to waive any informality in or to reject any and all bids, for any reason the City determines to be in the City’s and/or the public’s best interest. This contract is being bid under M.G.L. c. 30B. September 01, 2023 two groups focuses on engagement with ALA members and WAA volunteers to create opportunities for joint community service activities that bring awareness to both groups’ missions. ALA will expand its participation in WAA’s Group Sponsorship Program – there are already more than 100 ALA groups participating nationwide – which raises awareness and sponsorships to place veterans’ wreaths and support programming while offering ALA an option for fundraising. ALA will use its fundraising dollars earned through this program to support the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation, which positively impacts the lives of our veterans, military, and their families by funding American Legion Auxiliary programs today and for future generations. Founded in 2007, the purpose of the ALA Foundation is to assist in carrying out the educational, charitable, and other exempt purposes of the Auxiliary by raising funds for, assisting in the conduct of, and providing support to the Auxiliary programs. “We are excited to partner with Wreaths Across America. Both of our organizations have a common goal of making sure the sacrifi ces of our veterans are not forgotten,” said Vickie Koutz, 2023-2024 ALA National President. “Many of our members have already worked with WAA in their own communities. We are proud to now work together at the national level.” “This partnership is one that I feel strongly will positively impact so many communities across the country,” said Karen Worcester, executive director of WAA. “The work of the ALA members is so important, and to know that we can assist them in their eff orts to raise awareness for their mission and necessary funding to continue to support veterans and military families across the country is quite humbling.” Worcester and Koutz signed the MOU and jointly announced it to membership today as part of the American Legion Auxiliary’s 102nd National Convention held in Charlotte, N.C. To support the ALA’s eff orts through the WAA program, you can make a $17 sponsorship at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/amlegaux. Learn more here: https://www. wreathsacrossamerica.org/ Home/News/1004 Say nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Retirement Planning Tips for Single Women Dear Savvy Senior, What retirement planning tips can you recommend to single women? I’m a divorced 58-year-old women with a teenaged son and have very little saved for retirement. Financially Vulnerable Dear Vulnerable, It’s an unfortunate reality, but many single women – whether they’re divorced, widowed or never married – face much greater financial challenges in retirement than men. The reasons behind this are because women tend to earn less money – about 82 cents for every dollar that men make, on average, and they have shorter working careers than men due to raising children and/or caring for aging parents. And less money earned usually translates into less money saved and a lower Social Security benefi t when you retire. In addition, women live an average of fi ve years longer than men, which requires their retirement income to stretch farther for living expenses and healthcare costs. And, according to some studies, women tend to have less confi dence about fi nancial issues than men, which means they don’t always manage their money as well as they should. Because of these issues, it’s very important that women educate themselves on fi nancial matters and learn how to save more effectively. Here are some tips and resources that may help. Start Saving Aggressively If your employer offers a retirement plan, such as a 401K, you should contribute enough to at least capitalize on a company match, if available. And if you can swing it, contribute even more. In 2023, you can save as much as $22,500 in a 401(k), or $30,000 to those 50 and older, due to the catch-up rule. If you don’t have a workplace plan, consider opening a Traditional or Roth IRA. Both are powerful tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts that let you contribute up to $6,500 annually, or $7,500 when you’re over 50. And if you’re self-employed, consider a SEP-IRA, SIMPLE-IRA and/ or a solo 401(k), all of which can help reduce your taxable income while putting money away for retirement. Also, if you have a high-deductible health insurance policy (at least $1,500 for self-only coverage or $3,000 for family coverage), you should consider opening a health savings account (HSA). This is a triple tax advantage tool that can be used to sock away funds pre-tax, which will lower your taxable income; the money in the account grows tax-free; and if you use the money for eligible medical expenses, the withdrawals are tax-free too. Pay Off Debts If you have debt, you need to get it under control. If you need help with this, consider a nonprofit credit-counseling agency that provides free or low-cost advice and solutions, and can help you set up a debt management plan. To locate a credible agency in your area, use the National Foundation for Credit Counseling website at NFCC.org (800-388-2227), or the or the Financial Counseling Association of America FCAA.org (800-450-1794). Find Help To help you educate yourself on fi nancial matters like retirement planning, saving and investing, health care, annuities and more, a top resource is the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement at WiserWomen.org. And to help you get up to speed on Social Security, visit SSA.gov/people/women. This web page, dedicated to women, provides helpful publications like “What Every Woman Should Know,” along with links to benefit calculators and your personal Social Security account to help you fi gure out your future earnings at diff erent retirement ages. You should also consider getting a fi nancial assessment with a fee-only fi nancial advisor. Costs for these services will vary from around $150 to $300 per hour, but this can be very benefi cial to help you set-up a retirement plan you can follow. See NAPFA.org or GarrettPlanningNetwork.com to locate an advisor in your area. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. nior ior
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