Media Advisory

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October 12, 2007

What

The fifth annual Earn It! Keep It! Save It! (EKS) Contra Costa Campaign is seeking volunteers to assist hard-working, low-income families and individuals file their taxes and claim refunds owed to them, such as the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC).

Who

Bilingual volunteers, greeters, screeners, site coordinators and tax preparers are needed. Volunteers must be at least 18. No experience is necessary. Tax preparers will receive 16-20 hours of training on January 5, 12, and 19.

When " Where

Informational workshops for volunteers will be held starting the week of Oct. 15 in Antioch, Concord and San Pablo. All workshops run 6-9 p.m. on the following dates: Oct. 15 " 29, and Nov. 12 at Opportunity Junction, 3102 Delta Fair Blvd, Antioch; Oct. 16 " 30 and Nov. 13 at Concord East Bay Works Career Center, 4071 Port Chicago Highway, Concord; and Oct. 18 and Nov. 1 " 15 at San Pablo East Bay Works Career Center, 2300 El Portal Drive, San Pablo. Volunteers will staff tax preparation centers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites throughout Contra Costa, between January 27 and April 14. Some sites will be open during the day, evening hours on weeknights or during the day on Saturdays.

How

Volunteers must make a minimum commitment of 16 to 20 hours and can schedule regular weekly shifts throughout tax season or work two or three full Saturdays. The deadline for submitting volunteer applications is December 15. For information or an application, visit Contra Costa Health Services' website (www.cchealth.org) or contact Margaret LeFebvre at 925-313-1719 or mlefebv@ehsd.cccounty.us or Carol Smith at 925-313-1794 or csmith@ehsd.cccounty.us

Why

Last tax season, EKS helped more than 2,100 working families and individuals receive more than $2.4 million in tax refunds and credits.

The EKS Contra Costa program is sponsored by the Family Economic Security Partnership (FESP). FESP is a public, private and nonprofit collaboration that includes the Contra Costa Employment and Human Services Department, Contra Costa Health Services, United Way of the Bay Area, First Five Contra Costa, IRS, and the East Bay Community Foundation.

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