The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
GIVING IS A TREASURE
Retired treasurer gives back to community as volunteer tax preparer
Giving back to the community he loves and fighting for a brighter future in Lorain County is how one Elyria native has spent his time following retirement.
Mark Hullman, 64, of Amherst, began volunteering this past January with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, or VITA, which is a program where volunteers help tax payers file their tax returns free of charge. On March 18, Hullman made his biweekly trip to the Elyria Public Library West River Branch, 1194 W. River Road N., to help those in need of tax filing assistance between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
“I’m really enjoying it,” he said. “I’m retired now and it’s giving me an opportunity to help people. I feel like I’m doing a good thing.”
The Lorain County Free Tax Prep Coalition and the Lorain County Volunteer Connection partner to recruit and train IRScertified volunteers to participate in programs such as VITA. The coalition is funded by an Internal Revenue Service grant and led by the United Way of Greater Lorain County.
Partners of the coalition include organizations such as the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority, Lorain County Community College, the Lorain Public Library System and the Elyria Public Library System, among many others. Emily
Laurel, community impact associate for United Way, is the coordinator of VITA in Lorain County and said all volunteers must complete seven hours of training for the basic certification, which is the minimum requirement.
“We’re just geared toward moderate- to lowincome working families,” Laurel said, noting the earned income cap for those interested in the free program is around $60,000 and required documents include a Social Security card, photo ID and proof of income such as a W-2.
The IRS provides the test and suggested training, but Laurel said the training is slightly modified to cater to what volunteers will most commonly see when assisting tax payers in the area.
Prior to retiring in 2015, Hullman served as the treasurer for the Olmsted Falls City School District for about seven years. After retiring, Hullman initially became involved with M.O.V.E. Lorain County, which stands for Mobility and Opportunity
for a Vibrant Economy, in January 2016.
Hullman, who serves as treasurer for M.O.V.E., explained Bill Harper, M.O.V.E.’s president and United Way’s executive director, encouraged him to consider preparing tax returns on a volunteer basis through VITA. Now Hullman primarily volunteers at the Elyria Public Library West River Branch.
“I like working at the Elyria Public Library because I grew up in Elyria,” Hullman said.
“I feel like I’m in my hometown. Amherst is my home now and it’s beautiful, but I of course have a fondness for Elyria because I grew up there.”
When not at the West River Branch every other Saturday, Hullman said he will volunteer at other locations throughout the county that host the VITA program.
And while Hullman enjoys helping and meeting new people each week, he said volunteering with VITA also affords him an opportunity to use his skills as a certified public accountant.
“It’s very, very fulfilling to be able to do this,” he said, noting he plans to continue volunteering with VITA in the coming
years. “They’re all very appreciative. It’s a nice atmosphere.”
In addition to helping others file their taxes in his free time, Hullman remains active with M.O.V.E. Lorain County. He said future events are in the works, and the nonprofit wants to have a presence at other organization’s events to spread the word about M.O.V.E.’s mission.
“M.O.V.E. is a staunch advocate for public transportation,” he said. “We see where there could be huge benefits for Lorain County, and for the people of Lorain County, and we’re going to continue advocating for this vigorously.”
Hullman admitted that when he first joined the M.O.V.E. movement, he didn’t fully understand the issues surrounding public transportation in the county. Now, Hullman said he’s learned public transportation could benefit many, including sectors of the population such as the elderly, veterans and students.
“I started learning there are employers who would like to employ people, but the people they would like to employ don’t have automobiles and they need transportation to get to work,” he explained, noting the possibilities could be endless if Lorain County was connected to the RTA in Cuyahoga County.
Hullman said through talking with people who are retired, or those who are nearing retirement age, he’s learned many have the same mindset.
“We feel like we’re being
fortunate or we’ve been blessed and now we somehow want to try and give back,” he said, noting VITA and M.O.V.E. are two great ways to help people and get active.