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Spring is just around the corner and United Way of Sarnia-Lambton is jumping right in with some fun fundraising to start the new season.

“Even though the official United Way kick off is not until September we have a number of activities going on this spring plus several donors have already pledged their support for the 2022 campaign,” said Vicky Ducharme, United Way campaign chair.

“We are putting the finishing touches on our Dante Club frozen meal take out for later this month, and in April, we are partnering with Global Donuts and Deli who will be featuring a United Way donut day on Wednesday, April 27, 2022,” Ducharme said.

“The first two months of the year already brought in several donations of Imperial stocks.  It seems some donors who typically donate appreciated equities have concluded now is a great time to donate to the United Way since many of the oil company and pipeline shares are at or near 52-week highs”, she added.

“Donors are discovering the additional tax incentives to donate appreciated equities to the United Way, and, many of those donated shares have been oil and energy companies.  To take advantage full tax incentives, it is important that donors transfer the actual shares to the United Way, which avoids capital gains tax, and results in a charitable gift receipt for the full market value,” Ducharme said.

United Way has a stock transfer form located on its website for download at www.theunitedway.on.ca.

Ducharme said the United Way is happy to help in this process over the phone and can even fax or email the transfer form to the broker. In 2021, the United Way received almost $50,000 in donated shares.  Donors looking for assistance or more information, can contact the United Way at 519-336-5452, or [email protected].

One of 30 local programs and services the United Way funds is the Income Tax Program through The Inn of the Good Shepherd.  This year, it is anticipated that The Inn of the Good Shepherd will complete between 2,800 – 3,000 income tax returns for people who are lower income, but need to get their taxes filed to be eligible for various credits and benefits such as GST, Child Tax Benefits etc.  The Inn indicates that many of their clients are not in a financial position to get their tax returns done by a professional tax preparer or can do their taxes on their own.

The Inn has found almost 40% of those individuals who have their tax returns completed by their team of volunteers & staff at no charge, do not access any other programs and services of The Inn because the various credits they receive enable them to be more self-sufficient better at budgeting and less reliant on the community for support.

The United Way or Sarnia-Lambton has previously funded the income tax program provided by the Inn twice in the past and will again in 2022. “We see the positive impact in our community and resulting in more low income earners and households keeping more of their own money, without the expense of a professional tax filer,” Ducharme said.  “We are proud to partner with The Inn of the Good Shepherd in this manner, and we are excited to fund an additional program later this year, “she said.

To find out more about The Inn of the Good Shepherd income tax program, and how you might qualify, please call the Inn at 519 344-1746.

Photo caption:

Lynn Le Faive, Volunteer Coordinator with the Inn of the Good Shepherd prepares tax returns for Sarnia-Lambton residents with limited incomes thanks in part to funding by the United Way.  The United Way provides funding enabling qualifying individuals and families to prepare their taxes to claim tax rebates, credits and other benefits.  In 2021, 2800 individuals and families were able to get their taxes done at no charge.