It’s been an ongoing battle ever since Roman times: hate for the taxman. However, VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, is trying to change the public’s perception of the taxman by ensuring all qualifying families file their tax returns and take advantage of special offers within taxes.
The program isn’t run by robots, yet; it still needs help from the public. Anyone interested should attend an orientation on Jan. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Lompoc Adult Education Center; then, the next day, at the same time, there’s an orientation on the Allan Hancock Campus, building S. In addition to the orientations, volunteers must commit to three Saturday trainings.
After training, hopeful volunteers can look to four locations that need attending: Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, and New Cuyama.
VITA is an organization that partners with the IRS, NSBC, United Way, Allan Hancock College, Community Action Commission of Santa Barbara County, Family Service Agency, and the Lompoc Adult Education Center. Any group that can partner with the IRS in a positive manner must be a worthy organization, so go and volunteer.
Interested locals should contact Sandy Soria at 922-0329, Ext. 105, or sandy@uwcentralcoast.org.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send items for consideration to aasman@santa
mariasun.com.
This article appears in Dec 17-24, 2009.