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Volunteers Share Their Stories

Nothing As Heartbreaking . . .
. . . Or As Rewarding

During her three years as a tax volunteer for Accounting Aid Society, Olga Savic has seen hundreds of women of all ages in need of help with their taxes.  But it's the working moms that touch her the most.

"There's nothing more heartbreaking that seeing a struggling mom making less than $10,000 a year, trying to raise her children and doing everything she can do for her family," Ms. Savic says (near left). 

"That's why it's so rewarding to me to see the relief on people's faces when they figure our how much they are going to get back in tax refunds and credits. It's a life saver for people who are living day to day." 

It was great relief and an appreciative smile that Ms. Savic saw last February when she helped Ms S., a 46-year-old mother of two, with her taxes in southwest Detroit.

As head of household, Ms. S. worked three separate jobs as a janitor in 2005 to try to support her family. This hard, physical work earned her only $5,302 for the entire year.  Almost half of her wages -- $2,640  -- went to pay for her $220 a month rent. FIA assistance of $4,497 from the Michigan Department of Human Services helped boost her total household income to $9,799.

Thanks to Accounting Aid Society and TANF, Ms. S. received a $1,811 EITC credit  -- about one-fifth of her total household income.

Even You Can Volunteer

"I may not have the skills or talent to build a house, but I can prepare a tax form," says Larry J. La Bo, Vice President-Controller, North American Operations, Masco Corporation. "I really encourage people to get involved in this project because it makes a huge difference in our community."

Masoc Corporation is a champion financial supporter of Accounting Aid and has been an "Adopt-a-Site" sponsor since 1989.

Every Dollar Counts

"To these people, every dollar is important," says Rob Clary (far left), a tax consultant for Ford Motor Company and an Accounting Aid volunteer. "If not for this program, many would be in dire straights to file their tax returns."

Ford employees have been tax volunteers for more than 20 years. In 2006, 21 Ford employees spent four days preparing taxes at the Detroit Main Public Library, generating $166,000 in refunds to 210 grateful individuals. Ford has been a champion financial supporter and has been generous with in-kind donations of laptop computers for the Tax Assistance Program.

Several of our outstanding volunteers were honored at our recent Annual Meeting and Volunteer Tribute.


Share your own story!
Share your tax volunteer experiences with us and we'll post them on our website.
Your story could be the one that convinces future volunteers, funders and partners to join us
in creating positive changes in the economic vitality of Michigan. 
E-mail us at MyStory@accountingaidsociety.org