Every Saturday from mid-January to April 15 this year, Greensburg resident Joe Sterf wasn’t just running errands or spending time with friends. He was dedicating time to helping single parents, older adults and college students complete their taxes for free.
Sterf, 37, is one of 380 IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers who this year helped United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania complete nearly 9,000 tax returns for households with annual incomes under $70,000. United Way has been leading the Free Tax Prep Coalition with Pittsburgh nonprofit Just Harvest since 2009. This year’s volunteer team was the largest we’ve mobilized since 2016.
We’ve also had record numbers of volunteers step up to help our staff evaluate multi-year grant proposals submitted by regional nonprofits. This year, we had so many volunteer evaluators — 180 in all — sign up to help that we halted recruitment early. As with free tax prep, reading and scoring grant applications takes concentration, care and a great deal of time.
Likewise, volunteer slots at events where people dedicate a few hours to packing and sorting needed items — like meal kits for kids over the holidays, or school supplies for families and after-school programs — are also filling up almost as fast as we send the call for help.
It’s part of a heartening trend we’re observing at United Way and one that we hope continues.
What’s causing this trend? Our theory is that people from all sectors of the community are hungry for meaning and connection. Right now, when so many of our neighbors are facing hard times, local people are choosing engagement over apathy. Instead of retreating or hunkering down, volunteers are stepping up and actively seeking ways to act, to lend a hand and provide help.
Last year alone, 5,230 people volunteered with United Way and provided assistance to 66,940 people. For volunteers like Kim Reilly, who helped evaluate grant proposals, the experience is gratifying and eye-opening.
“Through the grant review process, you’re not just lending a helping hand; you’re actually connecting with the real people and communities,” Reilly says. “Each proposal vividly illustrated the needs of a particular school, community or independent agency, making it clear just how crucial volunteer involvement is.”
Volunteers, many of whom are also our most loyal donors, are critical to our mission and provide new perspectives that help our staff make difficult decisions about which agencies to support. Tax preparers ensure that workers claim their full refunds, which can be the equivalent of half a household’s annual income, while avoiding tax preparation fees.
McKeesport surgeon Marc Cordero also helped with evaluating grant proposals this year. For Dr. Cordero, seeing “the nuts and bolts” of how local nonprofits work and the variety of services provided showed not only the range of needs but also the resourcefulness local nonprofits demonstrate in meeting those needs.
“Some of these organizations have been doing this for 35 years. You see the difference they’re making, and you wonder what else they could do with even more resources,” Cordero said.
Volunteering is one way to provide those resources. If you find yourself wondering how you can help your neighbors, consider making a financial contribution and stepping up as a volunteer to provide hope and help.
Sally Ellwein is chief program and policy officer at United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. Wendy Koch is United Way’s senior director of engagement and leads volunteer efforts.