Health

Volunteers Honored for Helping Low-Income Families

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Volunteer Christine Klement found the tax process daunting when she relocated from Germany to the United States.

“Taxes were scary,” said Klement, who overcame her fear by getting involved in the County’s annual Earned Income Tax Credit Campaign or EITC, the federal government’s largest assistance program to support low-income families. “It was exciting to learn how to do them and to help people at the same time.”

Klement was among 16 volunteers who were recognized Thursday for providing free tax preparation to low-income families in the community.

“May is Community Action Month and what better way to celebrate than to recognize the efforts of the individuals here,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox at a recognition ceremony at the County Administration Center. “Thank you for your tireless work in our community.”

For over a decade, the County and its many partners, including the IRS, United Way of San Diego County, local universities and colleges, AARP, 2-1-1 San Diego and many other volunteer organizations have worked together to help low-income people claim their EITC.

More than 400 volunteers set up shop at about 100 sites throughout the region every year and file low-income individuals’ taxes free of charge. Collectively, they donate more than 25,000 hours annually.

During the 2012 tax season, EITC volunteers filed more than 47,000 federal and state tax returns, bringing about $25 million in refunds to working families and individuals. Since the campaign began in 2003, more than $55 million EITC dollars have been returned to San Diegans and the local economy.

Klement has prepared income taxes for eight years at North County Lifeline, one of the County’s EITC partners.

“I love it,” said Klement before getting her certificate of appreciation and an organic plant. “It’s nice to be recognized for what we are doing.”

In addition to the EITC volunteers, two other individuals were honored for their dedication to the health and safety of their communities.