Wednesday, August 18, 2010

VITA Program to Expand Under CARES Umbrella at Bernardsville Library

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), a program at Bernardsville Public Library that has assisted residents in calculating and filing their income taxes for over 15 years, is now available to help all year around, not just in the first four months of the year. Coordinator Bob Baker and other volunteers can help with estimated taxes, tax filing extensions, and returns that are being filed under extension. Mr. Baker is also looking for volunteers for next year so that the number of residents served can grow. Although tax season may seem far away, it’s really only four months until training for the VITA volunteers takes place in January. Public appointments are scheduled starting in February. Becoming a VITA volunteer is easy and rewarding, but does require a time commitment of approximately three to four hours a week during tax season (February through April 15). For details on joining this special group of volunteers, contact Madelyn English at 908-766-0118.

Michal Viola, another VITA volunteer, is also spearheading the development of a new library program called CARES: Community Assistance Resource and Educational Services. Scheduled to launch in January 2011, CARES will host seminars at the library on a variety of topics dealing with local, state and federal programs. The goal is to inform and educate local residents about programs for which they may be eligible and about which they have questions. Expert speakers and government representatives will be invited to speak.

For further information about these programs, call the library at 908-766-0118. For general information on the library and scheduled events, go to www.bernardsvillelibrary.org.

Pictured: Bob Baker (left) and Michael Viola (right)

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