ChamberLink February 2012 : Page 9

February 2012 • ChamberLink 9 Free tax preparation available through Rappahannock United Way In 2010, Judith Vanga was worried about how she would file her taxes. Newly divorced, the Fredericksburg resident went from being married with a six-plus figure joint income to making $22,000 a year before taxes. Financially unable to pay for someone to prepare her taxes, she found another solution. “I went online to the IRS website and found that Rappahannock United Way could help me and that the service was free. When I showed up, I was immediately greeted warmly and given information on what to do,” Ms. Vanga recalled. “The gentleman that helped me was patient and knowledgeable and made sure that I under-stood everything. Throughout the process, I felt that he took pride in what he was doing by helping me, and I was grateful for that.” Volunteer Tax Sites are part of the largest anti-poverty program in our nation, bringing an estimated $1 billion into the homes of low-to-moderate-income working families. Locally, the Rappahannock Region Financial Stability Coalition tackles financial stability, led by Rappahannock United Way (RUW). Rappahannock United Way organizes and trains volunteers to prepare taxes for free to community members who make $50,000 a year or less. During the 2011 tax season, volunteers filed 902 tax returns in Planning District 16, with the total refunds for these individuals and families amounting to $1.18 million. Because these taxpayers chose the coalition’s free tax preparation, they collectively saved $170,000 on preparation fees. This money could instead go toward paying bills, reducing debt, paying for an education, building savings, or even buying a car to have a lasting impact on the lives of community members. All services are provided by volunteers under the guidance of IRS-certified staff and volun-teers. Jim Foster, the Tax Site Coordinator for Rappahannock United Way, leads his volunteers with pride, ensuring they treat clients warmly and with respect. Ms. Vanga experienced the helpful attitude and patience of the staff and volunteers. “I had not gotten my new Social Security card in the mail yet, and [my volunteer] spoke with Mr. Jim Foster. Mr. Foster reassured me that everything would be okay and advised me to get an official letter from the Social Security office the next day and then fax him the letter. Mr. Foster gave me his card and told me to call him the next day once I had gotten the letter so that he could be there to receive the fax,” she said. “I felt that they genuinely cared about what they were doing.” Because of the impact the taxes services program made on her life, Ms. Vanga returned to have her taxes prepared in 2011. “By having my taxes prepared by Rappahannock United Way I didn’t have to stress over one more issue. I had been going through a lot of stress because of the divorce and I am sure that it showed when I walked in,” she said. “I walked out feeling relieved that not only were my taxes done but I didn’t have to try and figure out how I was going to pay for having my taxes prepared on top of owing the government. I would definitely recommend the tax services to anyone that qualifies.” Tax preparation will run through Tuesday, April 17. Where to find the Rappahannock United Way this Tax Season mondays ..........................................................Central Rappahannock Regional Library, England Run Branch, 5 – 8 p.m., 806 Lyons Blvd., Fredericksburg Tuesdays ..........................................................Central Rappahannock Regional Library, Main Branch, 5 – 8 p.m., 1201 Caroline St., Fredericksburg Wednesdays ...................................................... Rappahannock United Way, 1 – 5 p.m., 3310 Shannon Park Dr., Fredericksburg Central Rappahannock Regional Library Porter Branch, 5 – 8 p.m. 2001 Parkway Blvd., Stafford Saturdays ...................................................... Rappahannock United Way, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. 3310 Shannon Park Dr., Fredericksburg For a more complete listing, visit sww.rappahannockunitedway.org/taxserviceslocations. html. *Taxpayers must bring necessary documentation to receive assistance filing taxes: • Driver’s License or Photo Identification Card • Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for taxpayer and all dependents • Copies of all W2, 1098, 1099 forms • Amounts of any other income • Childcare provider’s name, address, and tax identification number • Amounts and dates of any estimated or other tax payments made. • Notice CP1378 or the amount of Economic Stimulus Payment received • Spouse in person, if filing jointly • Proof of account for direct deposit of refund (voided check) For more information, visit www.rappahannockunitedway.org/taxservices.html or call Rappa-hannock United Way at (540) 373-0041 ext. 316. Founded in 1939, Rappahannock United Way is a local nonprofit organization serving the City of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford. Rappahannock United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life—a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from arising. Stafford supervisors continue parks enhancements The Stafford County Board of Su-pervisors has approved construction on Phase 5 of the Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail and redirected 2001 Parks and Recreation Bond funds to be used to increase parking at Smith Lake Park. The Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail will eventually extend from Belmont – the 19th Century home and studio of impressionist painter Gari Melchers – to Ferry Farm, the boyhood home of George Washington. The trail will connect Stafford parks, the Stafford Visitor Center (located at Belmont) and numerous natural and cultural resources along the Rappahannock River. The board anticipates that the trail, once completed, will enhance Stafford’s tourism offerings and bring in more quality economic develop-ment opportunities. The trail is being developed in phases. Construction of Phases 1 and 2 within John Lee Pratt Memorial Park has been completed, and Phase 3 is currently under construction. That phase begins west of the YMCA on Butler Road and will con-tinue through St. Clair Brooks Memo-rial Park to its terminus at the western end of Historic Port of Falmouth Park. Phases 4 and 6 are proposed for the future and run from Pratt Park to Ferry Farm. Phase 5 of the trail will primarily serve pedestrians within the historic Falmouth village by replacing the existing, dilapidated sidewalk along Washington Street with a new handi-capped-accessible sidewalk. The new sidewalk will be constructed of exposed aggregate concrete to simulate a gravel path, in keeping with the colonial character of the community. The sidewalk will continue along the west side of West Cambridge Street and the south side of King Street to connect with Phase 3 at Historic Port of Falmouth Park, where bike racks will be installed. The board has approved more park-ing at Smith Lake Park. Currently, games can be scheduled only on four of the park’s five athletic fields at any given time due to the lack of parking, and even that has been described as “challenging” by park staff. The board’s action will result in the addition of 138 ADA-compliant parking spaces. Stafford has completed $900,000 in capital projects throughout the county’s park system in the last 12 months, and there is $600,000 worth of projects underway now. Completed projects include replac-ing backstops, fencing, and bleach-ers at ball fields in St. Clair Brooks Park and Rowser field; providing improved accessibility to amenities at Duff McDuff Green Park, John Lee Pratt Memorial Park, and Rowser field; providing an additional water sanitizing system, painting, flooring, roofing, and a dome storage building at Woodlands Pool. Soon to come are accessibility im-provements at several other parks and foul ball safety netting at Smith Lake Park. Other bond priorities include future work on Duff McDuff Green Park, an all-weather pool, and various other countywide parks improve-ments. In a property emergency, time is of the essence. Lives are deeply affected by property loss, and recovery often depends on the quick reaction competent care of emergency restoration professionals. PuroClean provides fast, 24-hour dependable service. Our team of professionals is trained to resolve the situation quickly, making your recovery as complete and easy as possible. 703-334-9922

Free tax preparation available through Rappahannock United Way

In 2010, Judith Vanga was worried about how she would file her taxes. Newly divorced, the Fredericksburg resident went from being married with a six-plus figure joint income to making $22,000 a year before taxes. Financially unable to pay for someone to prepare her taxes, she found another solution. “I went online to the IRS website and found that Rappahannock United Way could help me and that the service was free. When I showed up, I was immediately greeted warmly and given information on what to do,” Ms. Vanga recalled. “The gentleman that helped me was patient and knowledgeable and made sure that I understood everything. Throughout the process, I felt that he took pride in what he was doing by helping me, and I was grateful for that.” Volunteer Tax Sites are part of the largest anti-poverty program in our nation, bringing an estimated $1 billion into the homes of low-to-moderate-income working families. Locally, the Rappahannock Region Financial Stability Coalition tackles financial stability, led by Rappahannock United Way (RUW). Rappahannock United Way organizes and trains volunteers to prepare taxes for free to community members who make $50,000 a year or less. During the 2011 tax season, volunteers filed 902 tax returns in Planning District 16, with the total refunds for these individuals and families amounting to $1.18 million. Because these taxpayers chose the coalition’s free tax preparation, they collectively saved $170,000 on preparation fees. This money could instead go toward paying bills, reducing debt, paying for an education, building savings, or even buying a car to have a lasting impact on the lives of community members. All services are provided by volunteers under the guidance of IRS-certified staff and volunteers. Jim Foster, the Tax Site Coordinator for Rappahannock United Way, leads his volunteers with pride, ensuring they treat clients warmly and with respect. Ms. Vanga experienced the helpful attitude and patience of the staff and volunteers. “I had not gotten my new Social Security card in the mail yet, and [my volunteer] spoke with Mr. Jim Foster. Mr. Foster reassured me that everything would be okay and advised me to get an official letter from the Social Security office the next day and then fax him the letter. Mr. Foster gave me his card and told me to call him the next day once I had gotten the letter so that he could be there to receive the fax,” she said. “I felt that they genuinely cared about what they were doing.” Because of the impact the taxes services program made on her life, Ms. Vanga returned to have her taxes prepared in 2011. “By having my taxes prepared by Rappahannock United Way I didn’t have to stress over one more issue. I had been going through a lot of stress because of the divorce and I am sure that it showed when I walked in,” she said. “I walked out feeling relieved that not only were my taxes done but I didn’t have to try and figure out how I was going to pay for having my taxes prepared on top of owing the government. I would definitely recommend the tax services to anyone that qualifies.” Tax preparation will run through Tuesday, April 17. For a more complete listing, visit sww.rappahannockunitedway.org/taxserviceslocations.html. *Taxpayers must bring necessary documentation to receive assistance filing taxes: Driver’s License or Photo Identification Card Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) for taxpayer and all dependents Copies of all W2, 1098, 1099 forms Amounts of any other income Childcare provider’s name, address, and tax identification number Amounts and dates of any estimated or other tax payments made. Notice CP1378 or the amount of Economic Stimulus Payment received Spouse in person, if filing jointly Proof of account for direct deposit of refund (voided check) For more information, visit www.rappahannockunitedway.org/taxservices.html or call Rappahannock United Way at (540) 373-0041 ext. 316. Founded in 1939, Rappahannock United Way is a local nonprofit organization serving the City of Fredericksburg, and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford. Rappahannock United Way is working to advance the common good by focusing on education, income and health. These are the building blocks for a good life—a quality education that leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, and good health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from arising.

Stafford supervisors continue parks enhancements

The Stafford County Board of Supervisors has approved construction on Phase 5 of the Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail and redirected 2001 Parks and Recreation Bond funds to be used to increase parking at Smith Lake Park. The Belmont-Ferry Farm Trail will eventually extend from Belmont – the 19th Century home and studio of impressionist painter Gari Melchers – to Ferry Farm, the boyhood home of George Washington. The trail will connect Stafford parks, the Stafford Visitor Center (located at Belmont) and numerous natural and cultural resources along the Rappahannock River. The board anticipates that the trail, once completed, will enhance Stafford’s tourism offerings and bring in more quality economic development opportunities. The trail is being developed in phases. Construction of Phases 1 and 2 within John Lee Pratt Memorial Park has been completed, and Phase 3 is currently under construction. That phase begins west of the YMCA on Butler Road and will continue through St. Clair Brooks Memorial Park to its terminus at the western end of Historic Port of Falmouth Park. Phases 4 and 6 are proposed for the future and run from Pratt Park to Ferry Farm. Phase 5 of the trail will primarily serve pedestrians within the historic Falmouth village by replacing the existing, dilapidated sidewalk along Washington Street with a new handicapped-accessible sidewalk. The new sidewalk will be constructed of exposed aggregate concrete to simulate a gravel path, in keeping with the colonial character of the community. The sidewalk will continue along the west side of West Cambridge Street and the south side of King Street to connect with Phase 3 at Historic Port of Falmouth Park, where bike racks will be installed. The board has approved more parking at Smith Lake Park. Currently, games can be scheduled only on four of the park’s five athletic fields at any given time due to the lack of parking, and even that has been described as “challenging” by park staff. The board’s action will result in the addition of 138 ADA-compliant parking spaces. Stafford has completed $900,000 in capital projects throughout the county’s park system in the last 12 months, and there is $600,000 worth of projects underway now. Completed projects include replacing backstops, fencing, and bleachers at ball fields in St. Clair Brooks Park and Rowser field; providing improved accessibility to amenities at Duff McDuff Green Park, John Lee Pratt Memorial Park, and Rowser field; providing an additional water sanitizing system, painting, flooring, roofing, and a dome storage building at Woodlands Pool. Soon to come are accessibility improvements at several other parks and foul ball safety netting at Smith Lake Park. Other bond priorities include future work on Duff McDuff Green Park, an all-weather pool, and various other countywide parks improvements.

Previous Page Next Page

Publication List
Using a screen reader? Click Here