The Business Journal of Phoenix - 10:40 AM MST Monday
State Sen. Dean Martin, who has introduced a bill that would provide a tax credit for individuals and corporations who donate to groups sending gift packages overseas to military personnel, is working to garner public support for the measure.
Martin, a North Phoenix Republican, is sponsoring SB1456, which would provide a tax credit of up to $250 for individuals and businesses donating to charitable 501(c)(3) organizations that send gift packages to soldiers overseas.
The measure has passed the Senate Finance and Rules committees and is headed for a vote on the Senate floor.
To spotlight the bill, Martin called for a rally Monday morning at the State Senate building, saying he would be joined by veterans and families of deployed service personnel.
"The brave men and women who are fighting to defend freedom around the world deserve our support," said Martin in a statement released Monday. "SB1456 makes it easier for average Arizonans to financially support our troops overseas with gift packages."
In calling for support of the bill, Martin referred to Packages From Home, a nonprofit organization formed in 2004 by Kathleen Lewis of Glendale. Lewis started by sending packages to her son when he was deployed in Iraq, and later expanded her efforts to members of her son's unit.
More people became involved, and after a radio show did a program on the group, it expanded into an full-fledged charitable organization that currently ships about 1,000 packages a month to troops overseas.
Shipped items include non-perishable food and snack items, personal toiletries and recreational items such as games, books, music CDs and DVDs.
For more: www.azleg.state.az.us., www.packagesfromhome.org.