Every year, tax season brings with it a sense of dread for many. But for Gene Denton, of Emory, Virginia, it is a time to give back and make a difference in his community.
After retiring 30 years ago, Gene found himself with a lot of free time on his hands. Not only did he want to find something to do in his retirement, but he also wanted to give back to his community.
Despite admittedly hating completing his own taxes, Gene quickly discovered that he loved volunteering with People Inc.’s volunteer-run tax preparation program, also known as the VITA program. Not only was he able to use his skills and knowledge to help others, but he also enjoyed meeting new people and learning more about his community. “It’s sort of nice to go back in the office and have a desk and talk to people,” said Gene. “Work is not all bad!” Last year alone, he filed an impressive 60 tax returns for the organization.
In addition to volunteering for People Incorporated, Gene also serves as an election official and volunteers for a local radio station. “It’s very rewarding I find, not just that I’m helping people, but that I’m doing myself a lot of good,” said Denton. “It’s a win-win. Everybody’s winning, and it makes you feel good if I can contribute to the community.”
People Inc.’s VITA program works with individuals who meet the income threshold to help prepare and file their taxes for free. VITA has been in operation for over 50 years and provides free tax preparation services to individuals who meet household income limits. VITA volunteers like Gene receive specialized training to help them prepare tax returns accurately and efficiently. By providing this service for free, the program aims to help low-to-moderate-income individuals and families keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.
Interested in volunteering for the program? Click here to learn more.
