PHOTO OF THE WEEK:
The CPA firm of Harris Cotherman Jones Price Associates has stepped in right before the new year to help United Way of Indian River County reach the $1,000,000 mark in its annual fundraising campaign. The $2,000 corporate gift, in addition to its employees pledges, helps the agency meet its $2.5 million dollar “ambitious but necessary” campaign goal.
HEADLINES:
FREE Tax Preparation Sites to Open
On Saturday, January 29th at 9 a.m. United Way once again opens its doors to help those Indian River County residents who made $49,000 or less in 2011 save money on their tax preparation and receive the maximum on their 2011 tax return. Thanks to 15 trained volunteer tax preparer’s United Way has expanded its hours for this tax season, and is allowing walk-ins on a first come, first serve basis. Residents can come to the United Way offices, 1836 14th Avenue in Vero Beach and get their taxes prepared for free from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday through April 15th, also on Mondays from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on the following Fridays: February 3rd, 10th and 24th, March 2nd, 9th and 23rd . No appointment is necessary.
The tax program, now in its third year, is sponsored by the local CPA firms of Harris Cotherman Jones Price & Associates; Morgan Jacoby Thurn Boyle & Associates; Kmetz Nuttall Elwell Graham.
North County residents can get their taxes prepared at the Fellsmere Community Enrichment Program, 10074 Esperanza Circle starting Saturday, February 4th. The north county program will take walk-ins on Saturday’s from 1pm – 4pm and on Thursdays from 5pm – 8pm. No appointment is necessary. Bilingual tax preparers are available at the Fellsmere location.
For a list of the materials that are needed to prepare your tax return, click here.
Volunteer Fair at Indian River Mall Jan. 28th
United Way, Plumbago Volunteer Services and the Indian River Mall are partnering to host a “Volunteer Fair” on Saturday, January 28th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be open to the public and will showcase volunteer opportunities available at area non-profits. Only 20 tables are left and all interested non-profits should contact Ursula Gunter to sign up at 772-770-9404, cost is only $50.00 per table.
Books a Million Hosts Book Fair, Book Giveaway
The weekend of January 28th, Books-a-Million at the Ryanwood Shopping Plaza, 2006 58th Avenue in Vero Beach will host a Book Fair in support of the Early Learning Coalition. From now until the book fair, kids can receive one free book with this coupon.
Annual Campaign Enters Final Stretch
With only nine weeks left in this year’s Annual Campaign, Campaign Co-Chairs Chris and Don Loftus are working hard to meet this year’s goal of changing the lives of 65,000 Indian River County residents. “We felt it was important to tell the story that United Way partner agency programs touched the lives of 54,000 residents last year,” said co-chair Chris Loftus. “There is no more comprehensive charity than United Way,” added Don Loftus, “if you have one gift to make this year, we hope you consider United Way.”
After a busy Fall chock full of events, they are planning an equally busy in-season. With donor appreciation events, the Citrus Golf Classic on March 3rd, followed by the Thank you Event on March 6th, marking the end of the 2011-2012 Annual
Campaign.
“Right now we have brought in enough to make a difference in lives of 43,000 residents in need, but for so many, the times continue to be tough and we know the time to act is now,” added Don Loftus. Hoping to bring in an additional $1 million to aid area residents, the Lofti (as they are known) are busy working with their Campaign Cabinet to reach more residents who can make a difference in the lives of their neighbors.
Give Now
United Way of Indian River County funds dozens of programs locally that reach one out of three residents. Only 14% goes to administrative costs, and 99% stays right here in Indian
River County.
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Our Promise to You
Your donation is a sound and secure investment in our community. United Way assures donors that their investments are achieving the outcomes they expect through our Community Investment process. Community Investment volunteers conduct annual organizational assessments of each partner agency to measure the operational efficiencies and effectiveness. To participate in our Community Investment process. call 567-8900
Live United in Our Community
You may think volunteering means picking up a paintbrush, planting trees, or working in a soup kitchen. But many nonprofits need professional services like answering phones, writing a business plan, doing their books or board governance.
Volunteering is open to any individual or group thats ready make
Four Things You Can Do
1. Start a food drive at your work to benefit the Treasure Coast Food Bank.
2. Clean your closet and donate items to the Homeless Family Center or the Samaritan Center.
3. Give $2 a week through your paycheck at work to support United Way partner agencies.
4. Mentor a kid! (Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Youth Guidance, Boys & Girls Clubs & more).
WHERE TO TURN:
How your gift makes an Impact
Tiffany's Story
Finally Tiffany can breathe a sigh of relief, but this wasn't the case even two months ago. For Tiffany, her three children and her husband, the lack of quality, affordable childcare for infants and toddlers in Indian River County was something they lived with each and every day. About a year ago, Tiffany's life changed when she adopted an orphaned baby boy whose mother had died unexpectedly. This put a strain on the young family who already had one in diapers and one in childcare. For several months, Tiffany's two youngest (ages 1 and 1 1/2 ) sat on the 424 deep waiting list for subsidized infant care. Tiffany's choices were limited -- she needed to continue working to keep food on the table. To keep her two youngest cared for, she had to pay $130 per week, per child for private care while they waited for a slot to open up. This "solution" she says is something that "almost crippled our family." Luckily, Tiffany's oldest was already enrolled in the subsidized childcare program through Childcare Resources which helped further her application and place her two youngest in its childcare program. Within a few months Tiffany's life has gotten a little easier. She says that "people need to know how hard it is and how necessary quality childcare is for kids. What would we have done without Childcare Resources?" Tiffany is just one of the hundreds of parents that find themselves with limited choices, stranded on a waiting list that is too long - waiting for too few spots for infants and toddlers. United Way of Indian River County is focused on giving all families the help they need to raise happy, healthy, successful children. And one of our goals is to make sure working families have access to quality childcare. That's why we support programs like Childcare Resources, because they focus on providing solutions to our communities most pressing problems. Solutions that work.