United Way announces logo contest for FITA program

0

Jackson County United Way is accepting entries for a logo contest for the Free Income Tax Assistance program.

The volunteer-based program files taxes for free for households that make less than $66,000 a year. This year, volunteers helped more than 351 taxpayers file for free and helped get back more than $372,000 in federal refunds and almost $52,000 in state refunds.

United Way hopes by creating a logo, the program will have a fresh look to it, according to a news release from the agency.

The idea came from Development Director Maci Baurle while she was working on ideas for the Virtual Week of Caring.

As volunteer project circumstances were looking different this year for Day of Caring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Baurle wanted to make sure people still had options for getting involved. She created a list of ways people could still volunteer for their community but didn’t feel comfortable or have time for the in-person event.

The list included opportunities such as collecting diapers for the community baby shower, writing encouragement letters and the logo contest.

Emily Engelking, United Way’s engagement director, posted the virtual opportunities to volunteermatch.org, a website that matches volunteers with opportunities in their area or online.

So far, the results have been positive, and the reach of the contest has even crossed state and international borders.

“We couldn’t believe the response we got from the virtual community for the contest,” Engelking said. “Everything that has come in so far has been very creative. Making an opportunity virtual on Volunteer Match opens up participation to anyone who is interested, regardless of ZIP code. It has been great to see those people who don’t even live here offer their talents to our organization.”

The virtual opportunity was available until Oct. 7 on Volunteer Match; however, United Way has extended the deadline in hopes that people locally will jump in to participate.

Entries will be accepted until Nov. 1 for Jackson County participants, and a contest will be held on social media to choose the next logo soon after.

To help choose the logo, follow Jackson County United Way-IN on Facebook and @myjacsy on Instagram.

To learn more about the program or logo entry requirements, email Engelking at [email protected].

No posts to display