Something Remarkable in 2025
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director
Many people have lucky numbers, right? I have a special affinity with the number 13, as it was my dad’s favorite number. If you see me around town, please ask me about the blessings I have received through the number 13 since he passed and my daughter for that matter.
Next year, is our 12th year preparing taxes for free in Charlotte County. According to Wikipedia, the number 12 carries religious, mythological and magical symbolism, generally representing perfection. May I add, this program is perfection! And in 2026, it will be our 13th year with our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Yes, I am already excited about that. But for right now, let me share with you something remarkable that will be happening in 2025.
Towards the end of January, our team of wonderful and dedicated volunteers will begin making appointments for those who would like to have their taxes done for free. Over the course of several weeks, they will field over 1,500 phone calls, volunteering their time scheduling appointments for clients.
In February of 2025, a team of friendly folks will be greeting those who arrive to their appointment. While the volunteer tax preparer finalizes the taxes there is another volunteer who does quality review. This is all orchestrated so timely with care and compassion at two locations in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte. We are fortunate as many of these volunteers return year after year.
Many of our clients receive refunds and credits they would not normally receive. Can you imagine the joy of telling a single mother that she will receive a refund of $12,000? Or how about walking a widow through the experience of completing her tax returns for the first time by herself? I can guarantee you the feeling is immensely rewarding. It always stops me in my tracks to see how much the VITA volunteers get back in return for the goodness they offer to others.
This past year, our amazing volunteers completed a record breaking 1,100 returns through a staggering 4,208 hours. This program has grown over the past 11 years with a goal of always beating the record from the year before. In fact, I am particularly moved by the fact that the VITA volunteers have persevered through a pandemic and then Hurricane Ian, continuing to ensure our clients get the services they so desperately need. In their fashion, 2025 will be no different.
United Way of Charlotte County Board Member and VITA liaison, Marcia Cullinan, PA with Michael Saunders & Company, shares, “We have the most amazing volunteers! They truly are powered by grace, inspiring hope, and uplifting those who need it the most. Their kindness transforms challenges into triumphs. If you want to bless and be blessed, we invite you to join our vibrant group of changemakers. Together we bring hope to Charlotte County”.
This is perfection. If you are looking for a significant place to volunteer, allow me to invite you to be part of this impactful team. It’s a chance to be part of something greater than yourself.
We are planning our fun Meet & Greet, in coming months, to introduce you to the volunteers behind VITA and we want to see you there. You will learn more about the program, ask questions and see if this is the right fit for you. There is no obligation. For more information about VITA and to be invited to our meet and greet, please visit: unitedwayccfl.org/significance.
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.