Delaware Service Project Helps Low-Income Taxpayers with Returns
by Rosemary Commings

At a recent meeting, the Rehoboth Beach Kiwanis Club heard Steve Tolbert, the Program Coordinator for Kent & Sussex Counties describe the Delaware Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Campaign and the Delaware Family Childcare Alliance Workshops the Nehemiah Gateway Community Development Corporation sponsors. The VITA EITC program prepared over 14,000 2007 tax returns for low-income families, many with children. For Kiwanians in Delaware in search of new or expanding service opportunities in their community, this maybe an easy way for all Club members to reach out and help. Volunteers can serve three hours or more a week from January 15 until April 15, preparing taxes, counseling clients or assisting with data intake. Steve explained the program provides money management workshops and counseling to families, teaching clients to save a portion of their return for the future and even opening bank accounts or CD if applicable. Volunteers prepare tax returns, using IRS supplied training manuals and computers. If a computer is not a volunteer's strong point, the program is seeking older, more mature volunteers to perform the financial counseling. The Volunteer will draw on his or her personal experience to assist the client make more informed financial decisions. Several sites are available to help Hispanic families file returns and start banking. The program provides full training to the volunteers before the tax season. Club President Cummings, a six-year volunteer, says, "This is a very fulfilling service, helping others, young and old, seeing first-hand where community needs exist, especially where Kiwanis can help children." To find out how you or your Club can participate, contact Rosemary Cummings, stein@udel.edu or Steve Tolbert at stolbert@nehemiahgateway.org. Picture: Roemary Cummings (r) presents Steve Tolbert with Kiwanis Gift and Certificate so he can remember the work of Kiwanis.