Volunteer Tax Preparers Needed in St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson Counties

Volunteers help prepare basic tax returns for low income and people with disabilities from February through April.

Volunteers from St. Louis and surrounding counties are sought to provide free tax counseling and basic income tax return preparation through the Gateway EITC Community Coalition and AARP. Volunteers must have basic computer skills to complete the e-learning course. The volunteers will provide individual tax returns for low to moderate income and disabled taxpayers for as few as four hours a week from February to April.  To volunteer in St. Louis City or County, contact John Arenberg at 314-329-7973 or at aarptax@gmail.com.  To volunteer in St. St. Charles, Jefferson or Franklin Counties, contact Russ Signorino at 314-539-4062 or at russ_signorino@yahoo.com. 

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Habitat for Humanity Dedicates U City Homes

Five families received keys to their new houses on Thursday.

After months of planning and construction, five families got a new home to call their own on Thursday.  Habitat for Humanity dedicated its five newest homes Thursday at the build site at Bartmer and Kingsland in University City. The families will officially close on the homes Tuesday. The homes were built to LEED Platinum standards. Each home is a four bedroom, 1.5 bath, two story home.  These are the first Habitat homes in U City. Habitat St. Louis' CEO Kimberly McKinney previously told Patch there has been interest in the area for several years.  "For several years we followed the path of going into communities where we were the only act in town," she said. "Now we're working in communities where we are a part of the puzzle. Each new …

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Habitat for Humanity to Dedicate U City Homes

Five families will receive the keys to their new homes at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 13.

After months of planning and construction, five families will have a new home to call their own on Thursday.  Habitat for Humanity will dedicate its five newest homes at 11 a.m. Thursday at the build site at Bartmer and Kingsland in University City. The homes were built to LEED Platinum standards. Each home is a four bedroom, 1.5 bath, two story home.  These are the first Habitat homes in U City. Habitat St. Louis' CEO Kimberly McKinney previously told Patch there has been interest in the area for several years.  "For several years we followed the path of going into communities where we were the only act in town," she said. "Now we're working in communities where we are a part of the puzzle. Each new homeowner has to put in 350 hours of …

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Give Back: Organize Food Donated for Holiday Season

Check out our round up of volunteer opportunities.

Help with Scouting for Food Scouting for Food is a food drive Nov. 17. Scouts collect items to serve pantries during the holiday season. Volunteers are needed from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. to help with collecting, sorting and boxing food collected at firehouses on the bag collection day. Thanksgiving fun for Teen Girls Bring simple thanksgiving decorations, supplies for crafts and ingredients for baking cookies and have fun for a few hours with girls in residential care at Epworth in Webster Groves. Nov. 17, 1 to 3 p.m. Sign up here.  Five Acres Animal Shelter Needs Donated Toys Five Acres Animal Shelter houses more than 50 dogs who could use a few new toys. Favorites include stuffed and squeaky toys. They do not have to be new and don't have to …

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Sign Up to Help with the Red Cross

Check out our round up of volunteer opportunities.

Looking for ways to help? Patch has a few for you. American Red Cross Disaster Services Volunteers are needed and will receive free training. Red Cross volunteers help save lives... and what could be more fulfilling than that? Join our team and help us help others! If you are interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, go to our website and complete an online volunteer application form.  Help With Community Thanksgiving Service Member congregations of the St. Charles Ministerial Alliance will share in a community Thanksgiving Service oat 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Good Shepherd United Church of Christ. The church is located at 3115 Elm Street. Participating churches and their clergy will share in leadership. The offering will go to the …

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Who Is 'Doing the Most Good' in Your Community?

Patch and the Salvation Army are teaming up to recognize the individual who is Doing the Most Good as a volunteer in his or her community. Who would you nominate?

Dedication, Devotion Planted U City in Bloom in Community

Volunteer group maintains gardens all over University City.

This weekend marks the culmination of weeks of preparation and planning for the many volunteers of U City in Bloom. The group's annual plant sale will feature over 4,200 individual annuals, perennials and herbs. "It's amazing chaos when we start to move the plants," said volunteer Linda Fried. "But after 5 hours of work, the place is calm, clean and ready to go." The event is U City in Bloom's most significant fundraiser, generating 84 percent of the group's yearly special event income.  Flynn Park Elementary School sends out its Girls on the Run group to assist with the sale.  "They are great," said Helen Fuller, assistant to executive director. "They run plants out to cars or they act as plant sitters while people keep shopping." Vernon …

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Online Quiz: Where Should You Volunteer?

Use this online quiz to match your skills and availability with local organizations that need volunteers.

Volunteering your time is a great way to support your Patch community and give back to those around you. But finding a volunteer opportunity that matches your skills, schedule and passions can be a challenge. That’s why the United Way developed an online quiz that matches applicants to agencies desperately in need of extra hands. Before you take the quiz, take stock of what you’re looking for. So many organizations need extra help that you are sure to find something that matches your needs as well. Once you know what you are looking for, take the United Way’s Volunteer Interests Quiz, and take an important step toward bettering your community. Patch also has resources to connect volunteers with good causes. Just hover over "More Stuff" on …

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Daily PatchCast: University City Schools Hosts Returning Artists Program, Creve Coeur Mayor Receives Heart Surgery and More

A roundup of the region's major developments for Friday.

Here are the top stories from Patch sites in your area: O'Fallon City Council, Residents Discuss Issues with Residential Rental Inspections Dielmann Out Of Heart Surgery City Gives Boost to Foundry Art Centre Lake Saint Louis Volunteers In Medicine Clinic helps Uninsured Alums in the Arts Celebrated at Reception

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