Detroit Chassis Volunteers for United Way Initiative
4/6/2007

Low-income families in Detroit are getting all of the income tax refunds and tax credits they deserve, thanks to volunteers like DCP’s Callie Kendrick, Toria Bradley-May, Carmen Bass, Lynne Mimms, William (Chuck) Clifton, Deondria Hammond, Stacey Davis and others. They volunteered time and financial talent this spring to provide free tax preparation assistance as part of a program sponsored by Accounting Aid Society.

Accounting Aid, a nonprofit United Way member agency celebrating its 35th year of service, provides the only free comprehensive tax assistance and counseling program of its kind for low-income neighbors in southeast Michigan.

“I studied business and finance in college and figured this was an opportunity where I could really help people in a real and tangible way,” said Chuck. “I answered the call for volunteers from United Way along with other DCPers. Detroit Chassis believes in volunteerism as a corporate objective and I think it’s important for community development.”

On a recent Saturday, Chuck Clifton (Materials Group Leader) volunteered at Focus: HOPE. Each client he helped received an economic benefit of $1,220 on average; $965 in tax refunds and credits; a savings of $125 in lieu of using commercial prepares; and $130 saved from not paying for a refund anticipation loan.

Last year, thanks to the help of more than 650 volunteers, Accounting Aid served almost 9,000 low-income families in southeast Michigan, returning more than $8.6 million in tax refunds and credits.

Contact: Linda Ratliff, 313-571-2100 x 506, lratliff@detroitchassis.com