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The Value of Our Volunteers
Volunteers at Neighborhood Tax Centers brought $35 million back to Houston residents
 Volunteers played a key role in the success of our Neighborhood Tax Centers program in the completion of this year’s tax season. 511 very active volunteers brought Greater Houston residents over $35 million in gross refunds. This is a great accomplishment for our devoted volunteers that spent over 16,000 hours impacting 37,657 men women and children in a 13 week period.
Neighborhood Tax Centers’ second tax season was a phenomenal success. Volunteers and staff completed 22,079 tax returns at 20 locations through Houston. On average, each volunteer brought in $69,000 in returns.
"We depend on these volunteers," said Elizabeth Colvin, Director of Neighborhood Tax Centers. Support came from employers such as Amegy Bank, Bank of America, AIG Life, IRS and Shell, as well as student groups from University of Houston, University of St. Thomas and Houston Community College. Individuals were treated to a volunteer appreciation celebration where the program recognized 30 volunteers as receiving The President’s Volunteer Service Award.
 Amegy Bank volunteers, who provided approximately 300 hours of service, are especially proud of what they have brought to the community. "This is my first year volunteering as a tax preparer. I must say this has been a very rewarding experience. I have met some very appreciative families and it is rewarding to just be able to give back your time," said Lorri Filer, an Amegy employee. Additionally, Amegy employee, Frances Verino commented, "I am grateful to the Bank for allowing us to attend training sessions and encouraging us to be involved in our communities."
Families receiving refunds through this free service have acknowledged the support and devotion from volunteers. Single parents, for example, had an average adjusted gross income of $19,969. They need every dollar to meet basic needs – pay bills, pay utilities, pay rent. "A single mother and her kids had been sleeping on the floor for 8 months and she had been recently able to get them a mattress. This refund was going to help her purchase her own mattress so she wouldn’t have to sleep on the floor anymore," said Colvin.
While the tax season is over, Neighborhood Tax Centers operates a year-round center in southeast Houston providing tax preparation as far back as 2001. Call 2-1-1 for location and hours.
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