Contact:             

Lindsay Hansen                              

Catholic Charities                         

480.205.6195                    

PRESCOTT, Ariz. (Dec. 3, 2008)... Catholic Charities is seeking volunteers to help during tax season this spring.  Arizona’s working families need your time as a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provider in Yavapai County from February 1 to April 15 at the Catholic Charities Yavapai Regional Service Center, located at 434 Gurley in Prescott.

“Many families simply don’t have the means to afford proper tax assistance and others may lack the skills necessary to prepare a proper return,” said Cathy Peterson, Catholic Charities Yavapai regional director.  Yavapai County is one of the top 200 counties nationwide with unclaimed payments. Approximately 6,064 residents are eligible to receive Earned Income Tax Credits, totaling $1,819,200 currently left unclaimed.

No prior tax experience is required.  Catholic Charities will provide a free training and  on-line training is available through the IRS web-site. VITA volunteers can choose from flexible volunteer hours. 

“Being a VITA volunteer is a great way to give because you can help families get the tax benefits they need to improve their lives,” said Peterson.  “There are hundreds of working families in our Poverty Outreach program who need assistance with their tax returns.  Your efforts will ensure that they do not pay expensive tax preparation fees and are able to keep all the money they are entitled too.”   

To learn more about VITA site positions available and see frequently asked questions, visit: CatholicCharitiesAZ.org/volunteer.aspx or contact Cathy Peterson at 928-788-2531 ext. 54036 or via email at cpeterson@cc-az.org.

About Catholic Charities

Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities Community Services is one of Arizona’s oldest and largest nonprofit organizations which offers a diverse range of social services that strengthen families, protect and nurture children, and support people in crisis.  Catholic Charities serves people of all ages and faiths.  Last year, the charitable organization provided over 50 programs at 100 locations to more than 200,000 people in central and northern Arizona.  Catholic Charities is a member organization of Catholic Charities USA which is the largest private network of social service organizations in the United States working to support families, reduce poverty, and build communities.  The organization is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Children and Family Services.  To learn more about Catholic Charities visit www.catholiccharitiesaz.org.

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