Amsat Eagle Fundraising Appeal

Have you responded to the Amsat Eagle Appeal?

AMSAT-NA members should have received by now an Eagle Appeal Letter from AMSAT-NA President Rick Hambly, W2GPS.

The Appeal includes a letter from Rick, a color brochure on Eagle, a donation form, and return envelope. This is the first fundraising effort for Eagle as it is expected to take four years to build and launch the first satellite and three additional years for the second. AMSAT must raise at least
$150,000 in 2006 to keep the project on track.

Initial response to the Appeal has been good. SpaceQuest, Ltd. of Fairfax, VA made our first corporate donation to Eagle this past week. Many thanks to Mark Kanawati, N4TPY and Dino Lorenzini, KC4YMG for the strong support! AMSAT members will recall that AO-51 was built by SpaceQuest under AMSAT-NA contract and was launched in June 2004. In
addition, 12 individuals have qualified for President's Club status this week as a result of their generosity in response to the Appeal.

AMSAT-NA members who pay US income tax may take a tax deduction from their donation to AMSAT, which is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501-(c)(3) scientific organization. To qualify as a 2005 tax deduction, the donation must be post marked in 2005 or submitted in 2005. Donations made after January 1, 2006 may be applied
against 2006 taxes.

AMSAT will gladly accept donations via the AMSAT website using your credit card, the mailing of checks, and PayPal submissions. The AMSAT office will be closed until January 4, 2006, so making donations via telephone will not be possible until after the first of the year. In addition, individuals who may wish to donate securities can do so as well and avoid capital gains on the securities that are donated. Contact AMSAT Treasurer Gunther Meisse, W8GSM for details on how to arrange a transfer to AMSAT.

Due to passage of the Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005 (KETRA) by Congress, there are additional advantages in giving charitable gifts by December 31, 2005 to qualified organizations, such as AMSAT. Talk to your financial advisor about how KETRA can provide current income and estate tax advantages.

Your donation and personal support of Eagle is critical. If you haven't made your contribution, please consider making a donation.

Help AMSAT to hatch Eagle!

Barry, WD4ASW

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