With Vita, Tax Season Felt Like The Holidays

March 2021

East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

45 Stories for 45 Years

Contributor: Jerico Osnas-Paguio, EBALDC Alumnus

I love tax season. That’s something I thought I would never say. Tax season was such a stressful time in my life before, but Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) changed all that. When I worked at East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation (EBALDC), tax season felt more like the holidays. It meant I got to see our VITA family and catch up. I will always be thankful for the amazing volunteers who come each year. These veteran volunteers are the wise elders for the new recruits. They are an encyclopedia of tax knowledge and they are always willing to share and mentor. 

In addition to the volunteers, there are also those who use the services each year. It amazes me that they remember who helped them the year before. Often they are looking for the same volunteer when they walk into the door. I’ve seen volunteers mature from recruits to veterans, a few even became EBALDC staff members. I’ve also seen families grow and people progress through their careers. There are also some cases where people moved out of the areas we serve but they drive hours just to come back each year. 

VITA volunteers are a hard working bunch and we do our best to show them our appreciation at the end of each tax season. One year, I partnered with YELP East Bay to celebrate our volunteers. They were hosting a prom for volunteers throughout the bay area, and the celebration happened to be at the end of tax season. I encouraged volunteers to sign up and join the celebration and a handful of them took me on the offer. We took it up a notch and dressed as Super Mario characters, because they were all such super star volunteers.

As EBALDC marks our 45th anniversary, we will be gathering more stories like this one from our friends, family, community members, partners and more stakeholders that have made our impact possible. We would be honored for you to join us:

  • Follow us on social media: @EBALDC

 

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