Be a VITA Volunteer!

2012 is here….and the tax season is around the corner. But some working families in our communities don’t think about tax returns; they are focused on getting the next meal on the table and paying this month’s rent. Wouldn't it be great to help some of these families receive the tax benefits they are due? Unfortunately, many low income families who qualify let federal funds go unclaimed not knowing about the programs, not knowing how to apply, or because they are overwhelmed by the tax preparation process.

You don’t have to be a tax expert to help. Greater Longview United Way offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, a successful, proven strategy that mobilizes and trains volunteers to provide free tax service to working individuals and their families. VITA assists taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet by saving them the cost of tax preparation and helping them claim all tax credits for which they are eligible.

In 2011, GLUW VITA volunteers helped return a total of $506,573 to its clients, in tax refunds and in refundable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child & Dependent Care Tax Credits. Each VITA client saved on tax preparation fees plus fees associated with refund anticipation loans.Behind every return there is a story. Volunteers hear these stories and experience first-hand how they are making a difference every time they volunteer. Greeters, screeners, tax preparers and quality review volunteers appreciate how their specific role contributes to these families’ financial stability. All volunteers receive free training.VITA is central to increasing the number of families who are financially stable and can have a ripple effect into the U.S. economy, as families that receive these funds typically spend them on the necessities of life.

United Way aims to cut by half the number of low-income families who are financially unstable by 2018. Can you think of a better way to spend the tax season this year? Contact us at 903-758-0191 to become a VITA volunteer!

Thanks to our Longview Mayor Jay Dean and all the people involved for LIVING UNITED!

By Eloisa Herrero

Early this week we received a call in our office informing us that Mayor Jay Dean would implement a program to help - mainly elderly and disabled people - beat the 100-degree weather. Great news for people in need of an air conditioning window unit!

It really caught my attention that several different sectors of the community such as government officials, nonprofit agencies, private companies and Longview residents were mobilized to make this program possible. That is a lot of people LIVING UNITED in Longview!

Mr. Dean mentioned in a news conference that the program was not going to solve the problem completely but it would help about 250 families. I think helping one family to deal with this heat is great, helping 250 families is awesome! Helping one family at the time is all it takes to advance the common good.

If we can beat the heat in Longview, we can beat anything if we LIVE UNITED!

2011 Special Volunteer Recognition

Amy Taylor is Senior Manager – Human Resources for Neiman Marcus. Amy has been a United Way volunteer for more than 10 years. She began volunteering in the Industrial, Communications and Utilities division of the United Way campaign. She has led that division for the past two years and served as a co-chair prior to that. In addition, Amy has served as Secretary of the Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee; and as a member of the Communications Committee, the Leadership Development Committee and a Community Solutions team. Amy is active on the Board of Directors of Longview Child Development Center, LeTourneau Presidential Advisory Committee and the Longview 2020 Board, in addition to her service to GLUW. Amy is a multi-talented and energetic leader for United Way. She has been a tremendous asset to the organization by helping raise funds, assisting in the distribution of funds and ensuring the future of the Greater Longview United Way through her tireless efforts.

What are our Loyal Contributors Saying?

By Eloisa Herrero

Through the years Greater Longview United Way has raised millions of dollars to change lives in our community. This could not have been possible without the help of our Loyal Contributors. Our Loyal Contributors are a very special group of people who have supported United Way for 10 years or more. Some of them have supported us for more than 25 years!

I would like to share the thoughts of our Loyal Contributors about their supporting United Way through all these years:

We believe in supporting & giving back to Longview. Through giving we receive many blessings. We appreciate the hard work and dedication of our city`s non profits. They address so many needs in our community!

United Way is the best way to share locally with several groups at the same time.

I continue giving each year because I believe in the services it`s agencies provide. I am proud to be a part of that team.

We support United Way because lives are changed when hands and hearts are extended into our community.

We give each year to the United Way because it helps us give back to the community that has given so much to us. It`s a very convenient way to support our community and to help very worthwhile community projects.

I became a UW donor when volunteering for organizations that benefited from UW and saw the need for such help.

My husband and I gave through our employer for years. Continued giving even after retirement and his death 10 years ago. I still continue to give. It is a wonderful means of helping so many people.

Supporting community services is how a community grows stronger. As we provide services, individuals become self-sufficient and then can give back themselves to help another group of people. I love how efficiently United Way is run.

I have always contributed each payroll check because I truly believe in helping others in our community thru the many organizations that United Way supports.

Building homes

By DeWayne Mahurin

I had always wanted to help build a habitat house, but because of my frequent and sometimes unexpected travel, I never was able to commit in advance to being on a crew. However, my wife informed me that the Greater Longview United Way Habitat House Blitz was to take place on January 22, and I was available that day. It was 21 degrees when I left my cozy home, but I would much prefer to work outdoors in that type weather than 100 degree weather. When I arrived, there was a nice roaring fire and bundled up volunteers were everywhere.

I was pleasantly surprised at how organized and easy to understand the layout was concerning the framing of the house. Volunteers caught on quickly and the framing went very fast. Whenever you had a question, an experienced “foreman” was available to keep the construction moving smoothly. The feeling of helping someone, while learning about home construction proved to be very satisfying. I look forward to volunteering on another Habitat House. The low stress of, just show up and work, was very attractive to me. Getting to see the fruits of your labor develop into a structure is cool. If you are looking for a volunteer project I highly recommend Habitat. There is something to do regardless of skill level.

GLUW is getting ready for the tax season.

By Eloisa Herrero

As you all probably know the tax season begins in February, however, our VITA program begins a little earlier.

The VITA Program offers free tax help to low- to moderate-income people who need some help to prepare their own tax returns. Certified VITA volunteers receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in our community.

This program would not be possible without the hard work of many volunteers. Recruiting volunteers is the reason the tax season begins early for us. VITA Volunteers perform different tasks such as preparing federal income tax returns, assisting clients with intake questions or interpreting. Becoming a VITA volunteer is easy and rewarding.

If you would like to become a VITA volunteer, give us a call at 903-236-9211. We would love to share with you the wonderful experience of being a VITA volunteer!!

Carol Sammons shared some comments about her experience as a VITA volunteer last year:

“Working as a volunteer for the 2009 VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program, was truly an inspiration for me. This program helps individuals take advantage of the tax credits they are eligible for through out the year. This is Free tax preparation for all who qualifies, yes! This is a totally Free service. Being able to help others during this time of the year was rewarding for me and beneficial for others who are in need of this help. Seeing so many people with appreciation in their hearts was worth it all. This program is just one of many programs sponsored by the GLUW in an effort to reach out and help others in their times of need.”

Why do I volunteer?

By LaDelle Kay

Why do I volunteer? I ask myself that question occasionally and always come back to the same answer: it is my duty to give back in whatever way I can.

I have been blessed with wonderful mentors in my life. Lessons in giving and volunteering began with a mother who, though possessing little materially, gave what she had to those in our community and to my large family. She taught us that we all have something to give and to give graciously and with generosity. That pattern continued during grade school and high school years and into adulthood as teachers, church leaders, business leaders and community individuals modeled the art of volunteering. It is said that education is the key, and I learned extensively from those caring individuals.

Many opportunities for volunteerism are available that utilize your talents. We all have a chance to make positive lasting changes in lives in our community. I encourage you to get involved in your community, because organizations are waiting with open arms to embrace you as a volunteer.

Woodrow Wilson described volunteerism beautifully:

"We are not merely here to make a living…we are here to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. We are here to enrich the world, and we impoverish ourselves if we forget the errand."

GIVE. VOLUNTEER. ADVOCATE