Volunteers Creating Big Returns
Earn It! Keep It! Save It! free income tax preparation program is on pace to return more than last year’s $35.6 million to Bay Area working families. This United Way-led coalition depends on volunteers to prepare returns for thousands of families. This year we had more than 1,500 volunteers from all across the Bay Area. Misty Halstead, a lawyer with Ropes & Gray LLP, agreed to answer a few questions (via email) for us about her experience.
United Way of the Bay Area: Describe a highlight of your experience with the Homeless Prenatal Program’s Earn It! Keep It! Save It! tax preparation site.
Misty: Assisting a family or an individual to obtain available tax benefits can have a long lasting impact by increasing educational opportunities or other means to achieving financial stability. In one instance, a college student who I helped obtain a tax refund was so thankful to be able to afford his educational expenses that he sought me out at the site to personally thank me.
United Way: What would you tell a friend about this volunteer experience?
Misty: The staff and volunteers at the Homeless Prenatal Program’s make all volunteers feel welcome, and they are particularly dedicated to serving their clients. The tax preparation assistance program is a significant resource for the community, providing the opportunity for clients to access tax benefits to which they are entitled.
United Way: Did this volunteer experience help you understand why it is so important to give to United Way?
Misty: Volunteering and donating to United Way contributes to much needed programs for community development. The Earn It! Keep It! Save It! Coalition benefits low income communities around the Bay Area by increasing access to financial resources.
United Way: So working with Earn It! Keep It! Save It! is an example of why you enjoy living in the Bay Area?
Misty: The Bay Area is a socially and culturally diverse region home to many organizations dedicated to a range of social justice causes. The dedication and inspiration of the Bay Area residents is an invaluable characteristic of the community.
United Way: Why is volunteering important to Ropes & Gray LLP?
Misty: The public service tradition at Ropes & Gray LLP, is rooted in the example set by the firm’s founders nearly a century and a half ago. Since 1865, the firm has focused on combining legal skills of the highest order and a commitment to address matters of public concern. The public service commitment of the firm’s founders has remained a hallmark of Ropes & Gray LLP and its lawyers ever since.
United Way: What does LIVE UNITED mean to you?
Misty: It’s the way United Way brings together people and organizations to support long lasting change in local communities. My volunteer experience with Earn It! Keep It! Save It! is an example of how one individual can have a direct impact on the development of financial stability in local communities.