FARMINGTON — Western Maine CA$H, a community collaboration that helps working families in Franklin County make the most of the money they have earned, is looking for volunteers: college students, retirees, business
people, social organizations and religious communities, to help in all
areas.

The program will be at the University of Maine, Farmington
campus and training will be provided. The tax preparation program will run
from late January through the end of March 2010.

Volunteer positions include greeters, coaches, tax preparers and outreach.

Last year volunteers served 251 households with a total of $419,186 in total tax refunds.

The program includes having IRS-trained volunteers prepare tax
returns at no cost, opening bank accounts to
avoid paying someone to cash paychecks and connecting people with information on topics ranging from debt
management to home ownership.

For more information, contact Janet Smith, Women, Work, and Community,
778-2757 or  [email protected].

A session will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at the Mountain View Chocolate Shoppe for sweet treats and to learn how to help families and individuals in Western Maine find ways to make the most of their money.

The Western Maine CA$H Coalition members include the Internal Revenue Service, University of Maine at Farmington, Women, Work and Community, Casey Family Services, the Annie E. Casey Foundation, United Way, Western Maine Community Action, Coastal Enterprises Inc., Community Concepts, Franklin County Adult Education, Retired Senior Volunteers Program and Bangor Savings Bank.