AARP Foundation Tax-Aide has kicked off volunteer recruitment for its 2020 Tax-Aide program, the nation’s largest volunteer-run tax-preparation service. The Foundation is looking to expand its team of volunteers for the upcoming tax season and is accepting new volunteers.

Tax-Aide offers free in-person tax preparation and assistance to low-and moderate-income individuals nationwide. Volunteers make a difference in their communities by helping taxpayers, and their families, who might otherwise miss out on the tax credits and deductions they’ve earned.

In 2019 taxpayers who used AARP Foundation Tax-Aide received $1.4 billion in income tax refunds and more than $200 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. Taxpayers do not need to be members of AARP or retirees to use Tax-Aide.

Local Tax-Aide volunteers prepare tax returns at the Kent County Public Library on Thursdays during tax season (February 1 to April 15) from 9 am to 3 pm and at the Amy Ferris Senior Center on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.

In Chestertown, the Tax-Aide program needs volunteer tax preparers and client facilitators, who greet clients and help them complete initial forms. Volunteers complete training in December and January and earn IRS certification; no previous tax-preparation experience is necessary.

Last year in Chestertown, 12 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers helped more 450 people file their federal and State tax returns. The average federal refund was more than $1,300.

One of the Chestertown volunteers said, “It’s a wonderful feeling to have someone come up to you in the grocery store and say, ‘Hey—you did my taxes for me. I really appreciated it!’”

If you think you may be interested in volunteering as a tax preparer or a client facilitator, please visit aarpfoundation.org/taxaide or call 1-888-OUR-AARP (1-888-687-2277). In Chestertown, you can call John Vail on (410) 778-1470 or reach him at vailjohn48@gmail.com.

Born in rural Ohio, Helen Crow of Easton was always physically active. Her father, a builder, was also a physically active person. Helen recalls doing handstands and headstands when she was young. Today, she doesn’t miss an exercise class at The Dixon House. She recently celebrated her 100th birthday with a festive celebration with family, friends, and public officials at Dixon House, receiving citations from the President, Governor, Maryland Senate and House of Delegates, Talbot County Sheriff’s Department and Town of Easton.

Helen and her husband, Elmer, nicknamed “Amo” married after Amo served in the Army’s 17th Airborne Division as a paratrooper during World War II. The two had three children, and today she has three grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Amo had a career as a master craftsman, training many young men who entered the flooring trade, while Helen did office work for a law firm, then a refinery.

Photo: Back row, left to right, Matt Crow, Etta Crow, and Ben Crow. Middle row, left to right, Heather Crow, Helen Crow, Connie Crow, Philip Crow, and Roger Crow. Bottom row, left to right, Isaac Crow and Stella Crow.

Both Helen and Amo participated in an activities group for art in Cincinnati, where Helen enjoyed oils and watercolors and Amo enjoyed stained glass, caning, and pottery. The two also enjoyed music, attending Cincinnati Symphony concerts for 40 years. The couple retired to Florida and then to Easton, where their son, Roger and daughter-in-law Heather live. The two then came to live at The Dixon House in 2014.

Crow comments, “Easton is a nice town. We were amazed at the quality of friends we have made at Dixon House.” She adds, “I have had a good life.”

The mission of The Dixon House is to provide high quality and affordable residential care to seniors in an enriching home-like environment. For further information, contact Linda Elben, Executive Director at 410-822-6661 or visit dixonhouse.org.

Luisa’s Cucina Italiana is the host of the annual fund-raising dinner to benefit HomePorts, Inc. The event is being held on Monday, April 29, with seatings at 5:15 and 7:30 pm. Luisa’s is located at 849 Washington Ave, Chestertown.

Proceeds benefit HomePorts, greater Kent County’s non-profit aging-in-place membership organization. HomePorts assists those over 55 in providing access to a wide range of services in order to remain content, safe, and confident living in their own homes. HomePorts resources include a cadre of vetted volunteers to help members and referrals to reliable service providers in the fields of transportation; interior and exterior home maintenance; grocery & household services; personal assistance & trouble shooting; and pet care.  Additionally, HomePorts offers social and educational opportunities in cooperation with Shore Regional Health System. It also offers a subsidy for those with limited incomes.

A three-course meal will be offered with a choice of chicken, salmon, or eggplant parmagiana, coffee or tea. Tickets are $50. Call HomePorts, 443-380-0940 to reserve your spot. Space is limited.

On Thursday, March 7, at 11:00am, Jane Welsh, Executive Director, and JP Hooker, Outreach Coordinator, of the Animal Care Shelter of Kent County (formerly known as the Humane Society) will present information on the benefits of pets to older adults. The event will be held upstairs in the Chestertown Town Hall and is sponsored by HomePorts. All those interested are invited to attend.

Several studies have documented the relationship between pet ownership and cardiovascular disease, “with many reporting beneficial effects, including increased physical activity, favorable lipid profiles, lower systemic blood pressure, improved autonomic tone, diminished sympathetic responses to stress, and improved survival after an acute coronary syndrome,” according to the American Heart Association.

The talk will also touch on the option of having senior pets, pets that are not as rambunctious and can adapt to a senior’s lifestyle and needs, according to Karen Wright, HomePorts Executive Director.

HomePorts is a membership organization helping older adults continue living safely and independently in their own homes. Set up by and for local residents, HomePorts is incorporated as a Maryland nonprofit.

Those eligible for membership include anyone over 55 living in the greater Kent County area. HomePorts is modeled after similar organizations operating successfully in other regions of the country.  Founding members spent two years studying other such “villages”, which are springing up rapidly in many communities and are cited by experts as the wave of the future.

HomePorts resources include a cadre of vetted volunteers and referrals to reliable service providers in the fields of transportation; interior and exterior home and yard maintenance; grocery & household services; and personal assistance & trouble shooting.  Additionally, HomePorts encourages participation in social, educational, and cultural activities.

HomePorts partners with Upper Shore Aging and the Shore Regional Health System. It offers financial assistance to those with limited incomes.

Information is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., by calling 443-480-0940 or go to www.homeports.org. The e-mail address is info@homeports.org.

Today, representatives for Home Instead Senior Care and Upper Shore Aging announced a joint fundraising effort aimed at helping area seniors get around town better and make those important medical and social appointments that help them stay active and healthy.

Representatives say they hope to raise $5000.00 in this unique, one of a kind matching grant program that focuses on seniors. Speaking for Upper Shore Aging, Childlene Brooks said, “We’re so excited to be able to work with Home Instead Senior Care Foundation to bring awareness and financial gifts to those who need it in our community. We know folks here in Talbot County are among the most generous in Maryland so we’re crossing our fingers that they’ll give Home Instead Senior Care a lot to match!”

“This is the second year we’ve promoted the GIVE65 program here on the Eastern Shore and what we really love about this program is that it encourages all of us to play an active role in the lives of our senior citizens and help those who need a little extra assistance without having to bother government to do it for us.” said Jenna Marchi, who along with her husband Ben Marchi, have owned the local Home Instead Senior Care office in Easton for the past 8 years.

Positive Impact on Seniors

Currently, about 25 seniors receive a monthly bus pass but Upper Shore Aging says that they are constantly receiving calls from their partner agencies and other individuals asking about availability and unfortunately, resources can be limited. With Upper Shore Aging opening a satellite location in St. Michaels, Brooks expects an uptick in the number of requests in the future and says these concerns highlight the importance of the GIVE65 fundraising event.

How GIVE65 works

The campaign is titled “Give65” as the fundraiser runs for a straight 65-hour period. Starting on July 1, you may schedule your donation at www.give65.org/uppershoreaging for the 65-hour period (that runs from 7AM July 10 to Midnight on July 12), and it will be matched. Only funds contributed between July 1st and July 12th will be counted toward the matching grant.

The Give65 Campaign is a fundraising campaign by Home Instead Senior Care Foundation. The Foundation is affiliated with Home Instead Senior Care – an international senior care company with a local office in Easton. The Give65 Campaign is a crowd-sourcing platform similar to the well-known Kickstarter, and it’s the first and only crowd-sourcing platform in the nation for senior resources and needs. The goal of the Upper Shore Aging, Inc,’s Give65 Campaign is to raise a total of $5,000 (All funds will be matched by the Home Instead Foundation). The funds from Give65 will be donated to Upper Shore Aging, Inc. to go toward funding the bus pass program for senior citizens in Talbot County.

The Dixon House Independent and Assisted Living in Easton, MD, has announced the appointment of Shelly LaRoque of Denton as its new Activity Director. LaRoque, who was previously activity coordinator at Baleigh Chase, is certified in activities for the elderly by the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals. She has worked with the elderly and children throughout her career. She also taught exercise classes for the Federalsburg Senior Center, Easton Adult Day Care, Londonderry, and St. Mark’s Village. She owned three Curves franchises from 2002 to 2011 in Delaware. She attended Chesapeake College.

LaRoque comments, “I have always enjoyed exercise. After my mom went into a rehabilitation facility, I had to be her advocate and got involved volunteering to do activities with other residents there. I really liked interacting with the seniors. I have a heart for aging residents. It has been a calling for me.”

As Activity Director at The Dixon House, LaRoque provides creative crafts, cooking activities, mind enhancing games, and monthly birthday parties; brings entertainment to residents, including musicians, Pets on Wheels, and other visiting performers; and also takes residents to church, on sightseeing tours, to lunch at local restaurants, and to attend musical performances. She also teaches daily chair exercise classes involving stretching and aerobics.

“I love the intimate and relaxed environment of The Dixon House. It’s family here and the staff strives to make the house feel welcoming,” she adds.

LaRoque is looking for volunteers to help with activities with The Dixon House residents. For further information, contact her at 410-822-6661.