So. Many. Taxes.

I'm writing this from a hotel room in Van Wert, Ohio. This follows overnight trips in Montpelier and Oberlin. I am collecting an impressive array of tea and conditioner.

Since it's been so long since we've last talked, I thought I'd turn this into a grab bag of van fun.

1. So far my favorite travel story happened in the aforementioned Montpelier in Williams County. The county borders both Indiana and Michigan so it's quite the haul. I stayed there once last year. The hotel is haunted. It's basically The Overlook. Dimly lit, lots of corners, patterned carpet, and a weird empty conference area in the middle. I've been telling everyone about how much it's like The Overlook. I was weirdly excited about it. So when we check in, guess what room I get? HINT. If I ran into a set of twins I would have gone into shock.

2. Erin and I are proud to report that every single event we've been to has been successful. No duds here. I mean, if there were duds I probably wouldn't write about them, but you can take my word on this. Every event has been a hit.

3. I'll admit I'm personally disappointed that I haven't had any gigantic tax returns this tax season. The best part of taxes is telling someone in your best game show host voice that they're getting a return of $8,000. I can't pretend I'm Bob Barker if the return is less than a thousand bucks.

4. Erin and I also want to thank Emily Forsee. Ms. Forsee is an Americorps volunteer who works out of our home base in Columbus. Emily has organized over a dozen clinics across Columbus to help people file their taxes. That on it's own deserves kudos. But an added benefit for the Mobile Team is that going to these events keeps us in Columbus. I can't imagine how roadworn and weary we'd be if it weren't for the occasional clinic in our home county. Staying in Columbus every now and again keeps fresh for these trips to Van Wert.

So that tackles the past two weeks or so. The calendar is still chock full all the way into late-March. Anyone have any good vacation destinations for April 16th?

Chris Says Don't Sit on your Taxes!

Meet Chris. He volunteers with the Lorain County EITC Coalition--greeting people and shepherding them to get their taxes done through the Ohio Benefit Bank. Below he tells the story of how he has procrastinated and is encouraging others to come and get their taxes done. Check it out:

Tax Clinics Launched

Christina, Abry and Erin

London Tax Clinic

Printed with Permission

The Mobile Express Team joined up with Ministry for Community to provide tax help at St. Patrick’s School. It was one of the first tax clinics we have participated in and was quite successful. There were 5 Benefit Bank counselors on hand who helped many low income residents get their taxes done—most getting a nice refund.

We provided much needed technology, counselor services and supported newer counselors as they learned to navigate the software.

Here is a shout out to Twyla McNamara for her efforts to staff the clinic and attract clients to the clinic. Not only did she schedule appointments but she also made arrangements for sloppy joes to be served to all volunteers. Thanks Twyla!

Defiance Resource Fair

I have mixed emotions regarding Defiance. On one hand, the name of the town is Defiance. That's pretty metal. On the other hand, why does it have to be so far away? Three hours! Too far!

Of course, when a VISTA that we've worked with in the past is organizing a resource fair, it's worth the drive. So we filled the Mobile with as much diesel as possible and made the trip.

Kylee Collins was the VISTA in question. She organized a resource fair that utilized the OBB Mobile Team, Northwestern Ohio Community Action, and a host of other local resources to help people struggling to get by. Because it was late January, tax appointments started trickling in as well.

Kylee made it a true family effort by inviting her mom, Lisa, to help out. Lisa provided hot dogs and baked beans for the event and it was very much appreciated. (I ate three hotdogs.)

The dynamic duo

I also found out that Kylee had been an OBB counselor since her salad days in high school. I didn't know that minors could be counselors. So, come on, Ohioan high schoolers. Stop it with the texting and the Em Tee Vee, go to your local OBBservations blog, and get yourself to a training!