Tax preparer volunteers
AREA — The United Way of Eastern Maine lead Eastern Maine CA$H Coalition (Creating, Assets, Savings and Hope), in partnership with AARP Tax-Aide, and the Internal Revenue Service Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program are recruiting volunteer tax preparers. Each year, thousands of low to moderate-income individuals, such as seniors, students, veterans and working families, have their tax returns prepared for free by the Eastern Maine CA$H Coalition. Last year these volunteers donated more than $800,000 worth of tax preparation, generating more than $4.4 million in tax refunds, of which more than $1 million dollars was in Earned Income Tax Credits alone, according to a press release.
Volunteer tax preparers are needed in Hancock, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo and Washington counties. No previous experience is necessary; however, basic familiarity with computers and computer software is a plus. Volunteers will be provided with free IRS certification training in December.
In addition to tax preparers, there are other volunteer opportunities available including, greeters, IT support (computer/printer set up and troubleshooting), marketing and publicity, or assuming one of several leadership roles. Opportunities as financial counselors also are available.
For information or to volunteer, contact Janelle Wuoristo, community impact manager at United Way of Eastern Maine at 941-280, ext. 212, or janellew@unitedwayem.org.
Classroom project funding
AREA — U.S. Cellular announced that it delivered good news to more than 10 teachers in Penobscot County that their classroom projects had been funded through the company’s Calling All Teachers program. This is the company’s fourth time working with philanthropic website DonorsChoose.org and this year funded $1 million in classroom projects submitted by public school teachers. The local donation of $5,127.78 supports 11 teachers, benefitting more than 956 students in Penobscot County. Statewide, the Calling All Teachers’ donation of $61,639.98 supports 105 teachers, benefitting more than 5,730 students in Maine.
The campaign benefitted teachers from Corinna Elementary School, Eddington School, Glenburn Elementary School, Earl C. McGraw Elementary School in Hampden, Suzanne M. Smith Elementary School in Levant, Granite Street Elementary School in Millinocket, Joseph A. Leonard Middle School in Old Town and Center Drive Elementary School in Orrington.
Earlier in the fall, teachers across the U.S. Cellular footprint posted classroom projects for funding consideration that covered a variety of topics, including language and literacy, math and science, music and the arts, health and sports and special needs. Some asked for classroom reading rugs, teaching easels and books while others requested foreign language tools and tablets. Projects funded throughout Maine include, classroom reading rugs, reading materials, iPads, building materials for making a bridge and equipment for a cooking class, among many other projects. More than 40 percent of funded projects included a technological aspect such as iPads and tablets.
For information, go to uscellular.com.
Member of the firm
BANGOR — Rudman Winchell, counselors at law, announced recently that attorney Joy A. Trueworthy recently joined the firm. she will work primarily with Attorney Jane Skelton at the Maine Elder Law Firm, an affiliate of Rudman Winchell located in Bangor.
Trueworthy grew up in Scarborough and Portland. She graduated from Smith College in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and women’s studies, after being named to the dean’s list during each of her four years.
She received a law degree from the Rutgers University School of Law-Newark in 2009. During law school, she served as a managing editor of the Rutgers Law Review. Upon graduation, Joy was awarded an Eric R. Neisser Pro Bono award for her work with the law school’s Domestic Violence Advocacy Project.
After law school, Trueworthy served as a law clerk for the Hon. Andrew M. Mead of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Maine State Bar Association, the Penobscot County Bar Association and the Maine Guardian ad Litem Institute. She also serves as the secretary of the John Waldo Ballou Inn of Court. She received Certificates of Commendation in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for her pro bono service to low-income Mainers through the Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s Katahdin Counsel Recognition Program.
For information, call 992-2628 or email jsolari@rudmanwinchell.com.