Month: November 2018

Archives for November 2018

Ending the Year with Charitable Giving

As the end of 2018 draws closer, our thoughts naturally turn to the holidays and giving. For businesses of any size, charitable giving has long been a way to end the year right. It’s a great way to ease the tax burden, but best of all, it’s a way to get involved with causes that mean something to you and to make a difference in lives of those less fortunate.

At Lakeside Executive Suites in Weston, FL, we have chosen a cause that is very dear to our hearts. Children’s Harbor is a community organization dedicated to helping children in foster care, siblings, and teen mothers a place to belong and call home during some of the most trying times of their young lives.

They provide residential services and more, offering counseling, mentoring, and a way for siblings in care to stay together while issues such as abuse or neglect are being addressed.

They also offer residential maternity support for pregnant foster teens between the ages of 14 and 18 years, helping to break the cycle of abuse by helping them complete their education while addressing medical, psychological, and mental health issues that may impede their progress to independent living.

Of course, there is so much more that Children’s Harbor does, but the point is that they are providing essential supports for vulnerable children as well as the people who need it most. During the holidays, it is especially important to ensure that the children in their care have the ability to delight in the season and smile with the joy it brings. This is something we feel should be their right and we are proud to count ourselves as part of the solution.

 

Charitable giving for businesses: how to do it

If you are a new business, you may not have thought a great deal about charitable giving and what it means to you.

Here are some tips that you might find helpful:

1.    Choose a charity that has meaning to you

Just as Children’s Harbor has meaning to us, you can find a cause that pulls at your heartstrings. Heart and Stroke, cancer research, a local hospice, church group, humane society, homeless shelter, or mission are all great organizations you can consider.

2.    Time is just as valuable as money

Even if you don’t have a lot to give in the way of cash, you could find ways to help that are hugely supportive that don’t necessarily involve money. Help out by donating your time or business services to a local charity. Saving them money is just as valuable as giving it.

3.    Do your research

Don’t get taken in by a scammer this holiday season. There are plenty of disreputable people out there ready to relieve you of your cash for a cause that is either shady or non-existent. Check national non-profit databases like Give.org or Charity Navigator to be sure your donations are not falling into the wrong hands.

Do you have a favorite charity? We’d love to hear about it! Drop by Lakeside Executive Suites in Weston anytime and find out more about how we can help.

 

Closest places to Florida to see fall foliage

While we’ve got pretty much the best of everything here in Florida, one of the things we miss out on is the riot of color that the fall foliage brings to the northern climes. However, there are a few places within easy driving distance where you can drink it all in while it lasts – and some of them are right here in our state!

If you are hoping to experience the beauty of autumn foliage, we’ve got you covered. Head for the hills! Higher elevations bring cooler temperatures and that’s what nature needs to get those reds and oranges going.

Here are some of our top picks for the closest places in and around Florida for fall foliage:

Torreya State Park

Just west of Tallahassee you’ll find Torreya State Park. Its high bluffs overlook the Apalachicola River whose slopes are replete with Acer maples, sweetgum, and sourwood trees. Late October is the time to go if you want to experience fall color here in all its splendor. Note that currently the park itself is closed due to storm damage from Hurricane Michael, but surrounding areas of Bristol are still accessible to traffic.

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

Traveling south from Tallahassee, you’ll find plenty of maple trees in full regalia at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Boat tours are available too, where you’ll be able to see the sights while touring some of the state’s deepest freshwater springs and discover places where dinosaurs used to roam free.

Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail

Here, you’ll get the best of the fall season in a uniquely Floridian way: imagine seeing colorful trees, dolphins, manatees, and whales all in the same excursion! The 30-mile loop takes you through some of the state’s oldest forests as well as pre-civil war plantations, lagoons, and more. Storm advisories recommend checking road closures before setting out.

Out-of-state fall foliage destinations

If you’re up for a slightly more ambitious excursion, you can always venture out-of-state. North Carolina, Georgia, and parts of Alabama are gorgeous in the fall – and what better excuse is there to get out of town and explore the majesty of the season?

Asheville, NC, in the western part of the state, is well-known for its fall foliage. The Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains feature 6,000-foot elevations, supporting one of the longest fall color seasons in the country. With a window that lasts up to five weeks or more, you’ve still got plenty of time to plan a long weekend trip.

If you’re looking for a little urban adventure to go with your nature-tripping, try Atlanta, GA, on for size. The landscape surrounding the city is blazing with color right now and you can spend your evenings discovering Atlanta’s nightlife or culinary scene.

Lakeside Executive Suites is dedicated to supporting local businesses in Weston, FL, with flexible office solutions that answer every need. Drop by for a tour today and find out how we can help you get things done.

 

 

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