I hope 2011 treated you well and was a good volunteer year for you and your family. With continued funding cuts to human service agencies and nonprofits, the need persists for helping hands and donation efforts. We'll see an increase this coming year in food pantry usage, more people will need heating assistance and transportation will still be a hindrance for some.
If your agency has needs, don't forget to let me know so I can send volunteers your way.
Tax time
It's tax time. Are you ready? Schuylkill Community Action is once again providing Schuylkill Money in Your Pocket, free tax preparation help for low-income individuals and families starting this month. Each year, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program helps hundreds of Schuylkill County clients claim hundreds of thousands of dollars in refunds.
SCA is asking for your assistance again this year to help put money back into local pockets. They need volunteers to aid tax filers to identify tax credits to which they may be entitled. Volunteers are trained and then work at one of eight local sites. If you'd like to volunteer for the VITA program, contact them at 622-1995.
Blood donation
The holidays are the time of year with the highest demand for blood. Supplies run low. You can help replenish them by donating an hour of your time and a small amount of vitally important blood. This small act of kindness on your part can help save the lives of up to four people. There will be a blood drive at the Fairlane Village Mall next Wednesday. Donors will receive a Chef Cat Cora soup mug and recipe card as well as a chance to enter to win a $111 Visa Gift Card.
Jaycees fundraiser
The Schuylkill Haven Jaycees are having a fundraiser to help them in their efforts to give to the community. Pull-tab tickets will be sold throughout the month. You can support an agency that has done so much for others. Contact 617-0014 for details.
For information about volunteer opportunities, call Community Volunteers in Action, which is part of Schuylkill County Human Services, at 628-1426, E-mail jjohnston@co,.schuylkill.pa.us, or go to www.schuylkill.us/cvia.
Tax help
Times: Flexible
Responsibility: Help low-income tax filers identify tax credits for which they may be entitled.
Skills: Training required. Basic tax preparation knowledge.
Location: Several local sites.
Contact: Stu Anthony, Schuylkill Community Action, 622-1995
Translators
Times: Translators names go on an as-needed list. Currently, interpretation is needed approximately only once or twice per year, although they expect the need for language services to increase in the future.
Responsibility: Help case managers provide services to clients who do not speak or communicate well in English. Spanish translators are especially needed. Volunteers are also needed to assist in translating service brochures into various languages. Skills: Written and spoken fluency in chosen language.
Location: Pottsville
Contact: Jennifer or Erin, Schuylkill Community Action, 622-1995.