Wow...what a community impact!
Tax Aide Program was a wonderful success
An objective was to prepare 300 returns; we prepared 365. Another was to expand service to the Hispanic community; we did not accomplish it. We did, however, setup and operate a full site at Thomas University in addition to the Library site.
Between the two sites we recovered $291,440 in refunds from the Federal government and $101,560 from the state. This come to $1076.71 per return.
The volunteer hours received were:
- Rotary - 477
- Thomas University - 245
- Library - 44
- Outside Volunteers - 160
- Total - 927 or 2.54 hours/return
The program spent $150.31. This is substantially less than the $600 budget allotted. The small amount expended was because we did not incur the costs for flyers, newspaper advertisement and electronic billboard advertisement as planned. This was because of a communication mishap which resulted in the program not receiving complete support in this area.
Going forward to next year the Library will continue to take appointments and provide a facility and internet. TU will setup and take full responsibility for a site - internet, facility, recruiting, technology TA, room setup, client intake. return preparation, e-filling, followup as needed and room reset (putting all the tables and chairs back to their original position).
Way to Go!
Annual Coats & Blankets Drive
Members of our club collected Coats and Blankets for The Thomasville and Thomas County Food Bank which provides warm garments and sleeping blankets to area residents needing assistance. This year 2,054 coats were collected. With each item is valued at $10.00 making a total value of $20,540.00. Job well done! Thank you to John Brown and everyone that donated!
This Week's Program
Gary Black, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture
For over 35 years Gary W. Black has championed sound state and federal policies impacting food safety, science-based environmental stewardship and agricultural marketing. Now serving his second term, Commissioner Black remains committed to fostering growth in Georgia's number one industry.
Black's love of agriculture was first sparked on his family's farm in Commerce. He became an active member of the Commerce FFA and was elected State President of the Georgia FFA Association in 1975. Black then attended the University of Georgia's College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences where he earned a degree in Agricultural Education and interned with Sen. Herman Talmadge and the United States Senate Committee on Agriculture.
Upon completing his degree at UGA, Black went to work for the Georgia Farm Bureau as the Young Farmers coordinator. After seven years with Farm Bureau, he was named President of the Georgia Agribusiness Council where he served for 21 years as a tireless advocate for farmers and agribusinesses across the state.
Commissioner Black was first elected in November 2010 and immediately set out to retool the Department of Agriculture so that it could continue to serve farmers and producers in a 21st century economy. Georgia Grown — the Department's marketing and economic development arm — was revitalized as a business-minded program that seeks to help Georgia producers find new markets and consumers. With over 800 license holders in the areas of production, processing, retail and agritourism, the Georgia Grown brand's economic impact can be seen in every corner of the state and beyond. As part of the Department's new goal to bolster local economies and local food systems, the Department of Agriculture and Georgia Grown launched the Feed My School program which aims to connect local school systems with producers in their area. In recognition of these successes, Commissioner Black was named Georgia Trend Magazine's Georgian of the Year in 2017.
Despite all this, Gary W. Black would rather be referred to as Lydia's husband and Ward and Caroline's dad. He and Lydia continue to raise commercial beef cattle on his family farm in Commerce. The Blacks are also active in the Sunday school and music ministries of Maysville Baptist Church.
Next Week's Program-June 21st
Four Way Test and Club Awards
You don't want to miss it...we will be talking about the Four Way Test and what it means to everyone. We will be awarding the Charlie Watt Award, the Four Way Test Award for the Community, the Four Way Test for the club, the Avenues of Service Award and the New Member of the Year Award. There will be a special award presentation by Andy Sheppard, President of Thomas University.