Homer Alaska - Opinion

Just a reminder: The deadline for Alaskans to file for their permanent fund dividend is less than a week away — March 31. If numbers from the Department of Revenue are any indication, there are plenty of procrastinators among us. More than 50,000 Alaskans are expected to file during the final days of the filing period.

If you are among the procrastinators, here's another reminder: Don't forget the dividend's charitable contributions program — PickClickGive. In these difficult economic times, charitable giving becomes even more important. The PickClick Give program makes it easy to give — and every dollar donated through the program goes directly to the organizations.

Officials say, so far, there have been 259 donations to Homer organizations and six donations to Anchor Point organizations. The following groups in the southern Kenai Peninsula have qualified to receive PickClickGive donations: Anchor Point Seniors Inc., Bunnell Street Arts Center, the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, Cook Inletkeeper, Friends of the Homer Library, Homer Animal Friends, Homer Children's Services, Homer Community Food Pantry, Homer Council on the Arts, Homer Senior Citizens Inc., Homer Society of Natural History, Hospice of Homer, KBBI public radio, Pier One Theatre, Project GRAD Kenai Peninsula, South Peninsula Haven House and The Homer Foundation. They are among 366 nonprofit organizations, community foundations or campuses of the University of Alaska that pre-qualified to receive funding through the program in 2010.

The numbers show how a small amount can really make a difference: If each Alaskan gave just $25, more than $15 million would be raised for organizations that have a reputation for making communities and the state as a whole a better place to live.

This is only the second year that Alaskans have had the option to participate in Pick ClickGive, and participation is growing. This year, the response has nearly doubled over 2009 rates. Approximately 2 percent of Alaskans filing for their dividend online have chosen to participate in the giving program. As of Monday, more than 11,000 donations have been pledged.

If you've already filed for your dividend, there is still the chance to participate. Because of technical problems in the first few days of the PFD filing period, the Department of Revenue recently announced that Alaskans will have a second opportunity to go back and make PickClickGive donations. Alaskans can add or update their pledges between April 5 and May 31. This option is available to people who tried unsuccessfully to donate, would like to make additional donations or would like to make new donations. The state says this second chance presents no danger of voiding your application and losing your dividend.

The dividend is a wonderful Alaska tradition. While our focus lately may have been on how lean times are, the dividends are a reminder that things aren't so bad. Plus, the dividends provide an opportunity for all Alaskans to make life a little better for those in need with the PickClickGive program. The program allows Alaskans to pool their resources to do some real good throughout the state, while still leaving individuals the bulk of their dividends to save and spend.