VERO BEACH — Through its three year old Family Financial Stability Initiative, United Way of Indian River County today announced it has brought $1,424,581.30 back into the community. “It’s astounding that through promotion of our prescription drug card and through the efforts of some very dedicated volunteers we are able to help so many and help them save so much,” said Michael Kint, CEO of United Way.
Developed by the Board of Directors and championed by the United Way staff, local businesses and even Vero Beach Mayor Jay Kramer, the Family Financial Stability Initiative was “a direct result of strategically looking at ways to put more money back into the hands of the working poor at a time when it is most needed,” added Kint.
The program consists of two elements:
1) The FamilyWize Prescription Discount Card and
2) The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.
FamilyWize Discount Prescription Cards
Launched in July of 2008, United Way of Indian River County’s free FamilyWize Prescription Cards have saved Indian River County residents over $652,595.39 the agency reported today. Since its launch, 33,788 claims have been submitted with average prescription discount of $18.51, placing Indian River County third in the state for the number of claims, just behind Escambia County and Miami-Dade.
“We are thrilled that this program has meant tangible savings for Indian River County residents,” said Kint. “In these tough times, every dollar counts.” Prescription drugs “are a concern for just about everyone, and this is a great way of making sure you get the most for your money,” Kint said.
Discount cards can be obtained from the United Way office at 1836 14th Avenue in downtown Vero Beach during business hours. People with Internet access can also print a card by visiting the website at www.FamilyWize.com as well as look up drug prices and the list of participating pharmacies. Most pharmacies across the U.S. honor the cards and there is no cost for the card and no eligibility requirements.
Free Income Tax Preparation
In 2009/2010, the United Way started partnering with the IRS to promote their Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). The United Way opened its first VITA site in January 2010 and continued the program in 2011. Since that time, volunteer tax preparers, including Vero Beach’s Mayor Jay Kramer, have processed 539 returns resulting in $771,986 in refunds.
An essential element of the VITA program is the promotion of the Earned Income Credit and the Child Tax Credit. In 2011, these credits accounted for 52% of all the monies brought back into the county, well over the 30% national rate for EITC claims. United Way of Indian River County is also unique amongst its partners across the state in that the VITA program was sponsored by local CPA firms. In 2011 the sponsors were Harris, Cotherman, Jones, Price & Associates and Morgan, Jacoby, Thurn, Boyle & Associates.
“This is such a terrific program, it brings essential money back into the hands of those who most need it, when they most need it,” said Mayor Jay Kramer.
The United Way VITA site, staffed entirely by volunteers, saw a dramatic increase in traffic over last year, up 38%. The program was promoted through local sponsorship dollars, a block grant from the IRS, and through donated media. United Way of Indian River County also promoted the program through non-traditional means, producing a drink coaster distributed through local bars and restaurants – the coaster was produced by the Vero Beach firm Brandit Corporation, at a deeply discounted rate.
“This program is a perfect example of how United Way can bring so many different partners to the table to produce real tangible results,” said Kint. “We are so grateful for the many hours donated by our dedicated sponsors and volunteers, it’s quite humbling, especially when the Mayor shows up on a Saturday to prepare free tax returns,” added Kint.
Often times, families will turn to a paid professional to have their taxes prepared, costing upwards of $300 each return.
“If we calculate that figure for the amount of returns our volunteers prepared, that means we’ve saved working families $99,600,” said Eve Balance, United Way Community Investment Coordinator and VITA coordinator.
VITA volunteers tax filing 2010 were Tax Preparers Ben Tartaglia, Darlene Forage, Dave Parker, David Geiser, Ed Kroah, Gail Doughtie, Ivan Munoz, Jay Kramer, Les Brink, Martin Zickert, Marvin Hathaway, Sheila Iodice, Susan Caito, Eve Balance, and Tax Screeners Rita Borucki and Louis Nicolini.
For more information, contact Michael Kint at(772) 567-8900, or Michael.kint@unitedwayirc.org.
