H&R Block, Military Friends Foundation and Local Officials Announce Ways to Raise Funds This Tax Season Benefitting Massachusetts National Guard, Reservists and Families of the Fallen
H&R Block, Military Friends Foundation, and local officials partner through April 17th
Boston, MA – With less than two weeks left before the tax filing deadline, U.S. Rep. Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA9), State Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth), State Rep. Garrett Bradley (D-Hingham), Military Friends Foundation and H&R Block today joined forces to urge taxpayers to use tax season 2012 as an opportunity to support the Massachusetts National Guard, Reservists and Families of the Fallen.
“Actions taken this tax season can have a direct and positive impact on our state’s military families,” says Congressman Lynch. “I strongly urge those who have not filed their taxes yet to help the Military Friends Foundation secure this necessary funding, which continues to support the hard work and commitment of our local military servicemen and women.”
Funds raised for the Military Friends Foundation go to support local service members and their families, such as the family of Fallen Hero Michael J. Kelley, of Scituate, MA. The Kelley family was recognized in today’s event for their sacrifice and for speaking out on the need to support our military servicemen and women. “When our servicemen and women are away – whether a parent, a spouse, a son or daughter – there are many challenges that can come up for their families at home,” said Joe Kelley, Sgt. Michael Kelley’s father. “A sudden accident, an illness, a costly home repair bill: these are all challenges that families suffer while their loved one is away. But thanks to the donations made through Question 32E, they need not suffer it alone.”
Taxpayers can act now through April 17th to:
• Through the “Take 5, Give $5” Campaign, taxpayers are encouraged to voluntarily contribute $5 or more on Question 32E when filing their annual state taxes.
• For every new client who brings a Military Friends Foundation referral form when preparing their 2011 tax return with H&R Block, H&R Block will make a $25 contribution to the Military Friends Foundation.
• To obtain a referral form, taxpayers can visit their local H&R Block participating office, or download the coupon online at https://www.militaryfriends.org/?p=2448.
• H&R Block’s Non-Profit Referral Program gives nonprofits an opportunity through tax season to raise money for local causes. In 2011, more than $450,000 was contributed to participating organizations from H&R Block’s Non-Profit Referral program throughout the country.
“Military Friends Foundation is proud to partner with H&R Block and their network of tax professionals in the Commonwealth to bring attention to this important cause. Through this partnership we want to encourage people to check the box. Giving through Question 32E on the state tax form is a convenient and easy way to donate – every contribution during tax time helps support a wide range of services year-round for local military families, who sacrifice so much,” said Sarah Keller-Likins, executive director of the Military Friends Foundation. The Military Friends Foundation proudly administers the Massachusetts Military Family Relief Fund, which was created by the state legislature after September 11, 2001, to enable citizens to directly recognize and support military families in their own community.
“We recognize the importance of supporting military professionals, whether it’s through the causes we support or the services we offer,” said Jeff Pirner, district manager for H&R Block. “We are pleased to partner with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Military Friends Foundation to support local military families.”
Military Friends Foundation is the only nonprofit directly charged by Massachusetts to care for all citizen service members. The organization has provided more than half a million dollars in grants to local military families in more than 300 cities and towns. The donations made through Question 32E on the State Income Tax Form support Families of the Fallen Service Members, emergency travel, scholarships, grants, homecoming events and more in Massachusetts. As troops return, the focus turns to the job fairs, civilian readjustment and the ongoing needs of military families.
For more information on these initiatives, contact the Military Friends Foundation at 617-733-7994 or your local H&R Block office.
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