Events - Mar 15 21

IF YOUR HOUSEHOLD MADE LESS THAN $57,000 IN 2020, you may be eligible to get your income taxes prepared for free by IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers.

OPTION 1: Visit www.getyourrefund.org/midcstme  to start your online intake process. 

You’ll answer a series of questions, upload documents, and receive phone calls from our team before we e-file your return.

OPTION 2: File your own taxes (with access to helpline support) at myfreetaxes.com.

OPTION 3: No mobile device or computer?  No problem!  Call (207) 295-6340 to be sent an intake packet. Complete all forms, gather your documents, and head to one of our Scan & Go sites in Boothbay, Brunswick, Damariscotta, Topsham, and Wiscasset. All your documents will be scanned into GetYourRefund for you and your original documents will immediately be returned to you. You’ll receive phone calls from our team before we e-file your return.

Got questions? Call Kelly (207) 295-6340 or email uwcash@uwmcm.org

Please note: We are receiving a high number of calls — thank you for your patience.

 

Midcoast CA$H, the free tax preparation service offered by United Way of Midcoast Maine, has teamed up with GetYourRefund to connect people to our IRS-certified volunteers working virtually. This year, because of Covid-19 restrictions, there are 2 options to file taxes with Midcoast CA$H, both of which are safe and secure and require no direct contact.

The first option, the fastest way for people to get their refund, starts by visiting www.getyourrefund.org/midcstme – a fast, reliable, and free service that connects users with Midcoast CA$H’s tax preparers. It is as simple as answering a series of questions, then using a cell phone or computer to upload documents for the tax preparers to review before filing. Judy, a recent CA$H client exclaimed “It’s so easy, I’m embarrassed!” after worrying it would be difficult to use the GetYourRefund website.

The second option is called Scan & Go for people without a cell phone or computer. By calling (207) 295-6340 clients will initiate the process and be sent an intake packet. All the forms needed to file the taxes can be taken to one of the Scan & Go sites in Brunswick, Topsham, or the multiple locations in Lincoln County. All the documents will be scanned into GetYourRefund for the client and immediately returned to them.

Midcoast CA$H is part of the CA$H Maine initiative and this year’s tax preparation service supported by BIW, Bath Savings Institution, Bowdoin College, CEI, Davenport Trust, First Federal Savings & Loan, First National Bank, General Dynamics, John T. Gorman Foundation, IRS/VITA, Lincoln County Regional Planning Commission, Maine Women’s Fund, Midcoast Maine Community Action, New Ventures Maine, and Norway Savings.

The United Way of Mid Coast Maine isn’t letting a pandemic stop them from hosting the annual Community Read Aloud. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, the event could not run as usual, with volunteers going into classrooms throughout the area to share their favorite kids book with them. Instead, there was a mix of pre-recorded videos and online virtual meetings.

A YouTube playlist was put together with a dozen videos of various community member reading their favorite kid’s book. Volunteer readers included Sagadahoc County Sheriff Joel Merry, Representative Denise Hepler, and Lois Skillings of Mid Coast – Park View Health. With an array of stories ranging from baby board books to chapter books, there is a video for every child to enjoy. United Way shared this playlist with more than 100 school and childcare centers throughout the region, as well as with the local children’s librarians.

More than a dozen volunteers offered to schedule an online live reading with classrooms at Phippsburg Elementary, West Bath Elementary, and Williams-Cone School in Topsham. Recently retired United Way staff member Peter Lindsay had this to say about his experience during the Virtual Community Read Aloud: “I would have loved to have been there in person instead of on screen, but having said that, we had a good time!  I read A Chair for My Mother, an old favorite, and Doggies, a counting board book by Sandra Boynton in which we all get to make the sounds of the different dogs.  It is fun to do with a group!” Peter Read to Mrs. Baldwin’s Kindergarten class at Phippsburg Elementary.

United Way of Mid Coast Maine understands that early exposure to books and language is positively linked with school readiness and adult literacy.  Sharing stories, songs, and books with infants and young children help prepare children to learn to read and to succeed in school and beyond.  Reading with young children also provides times for parents and child to bond, an important part of their growth and development. United Way of Mid Coast Maine will continue to offer this important event each year, hopefully getting the volunteers back into the classrooms next year. For now, people can watch the videos on the United Way of Mid Coast Maine YouTube page at www.youtube.com/channel/UCH5OluFj2h30zQWUvz6ybbQ.

For more information, call 207-443-9752 or visit www.uwmcm.org.

 

Calling all kids ages 8-11!

Join us on the courts using our junior sized equipment! Juniors will learn tennis skills and strategies through game based drills, all while practicing footwork and coordination! Players will have fun while learning this lifetime sport!

Orange ball runs from 5 – 6pm Mondays &/or Fridays. Cost is 1 day/week $40, 2 days/week $65, 3 months/1 day $110, and 3 months/2 days $180. You get a free junior racket if you sign up for 3 months! Join us today by calling 729-8433!

Calling all kids ages 4 – 7!

Join us for red ball tennis, which uses USTA approved red ball courts. This program teaches players hand eye coordination, tennis footwork, and basic skills and strategies of the game. Players will have fun while learning to play through a game based format!

Meets on Mon. &/or Fridays from 5:15-5:55. Cost: 1 day/week $40; 2 days/week $65; 3 months/1 day $110; 3 months/2 days $180 (and a free junior racket if you sign up for 3 months!). Join us today by calling 729-8433!