Orange County United Way’s OC Free Tax Prep program is seeking 600 volunteers for the 2023 tax season.
The program helps certain residents prepare a tax return while looking for available tax credits.
The nonprofit says no experience is needed to join the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, also known as VITA. All volunteers however are required to pass the online Volunteer Standards of Conduct training and exam.
Here’s what the program needs:
Tax preparers: Required to complete tax preparation training and must pass certification exams before serving. Newly certified volunteers will be paired with a mentor and get guidance from site manager. (Exams are given online, self-paced, open-book and multiple-choice.)
Interpreters: Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Farsi, Arabic and Mandarin bilinguals are needed.
Orange County United Way’s OC Free Tax Prep program is seeking interpreters and greeters for its 2023 tax season. (File photo: Bruce Chambers, Orange County Register)
Greeters: This role includes welcoming clients and making sure they have the necessary documents and paperwork.
Online and in-person training sessions led by an IRS-certified VITA instructor will be available in November and December 2022 and early January 2023. All volunteers, new or returning, are required to attend three training sessions. Volunteer hours are available during day, evening and weekend shifts at locations throughout Orange County.
To learn more, go to vita.volunteerhub.com/ and create an account or email VITA@UnitedWayOC.org.
For more information on certification, go to linklearncertification.com/d. For details about OC Free Tax Prep, go to ocfreetaxprep.com.
Grant helps SCO revamping its food bank
South County Outreach in Irvine is using a $500,000 donation from the Newport Beach-based Tarsadia Foundation to help reimagine its food service program.
When fully funded, the food bank will convert into an in-person grocery store experience called SC Fresh. The idea behind the effort, the nonprofit said, is to create a food pantry that promotes independence. Clients get to choose their own food in “a modern and dignified experience.”
The nonprofit’s facility at 7 Whatney is undergoing a remodel of the market facility and warehouse, adding office space and a new entrance. The warehouse will get equipment upgrades, including new refrigeration and freezer units for perishables, a check-out station for clients, power-lift forklifts and a more robust inventory system. More fundraising will be necessary to get the entire project completed, according to SCO.
SCO serves homeless families, the underemployed, unemployed, seniors, veterans and other vulnerable residents in Orange County. Fore more information, go to sco-oc.org.
Giving Day is Aug. 24
The Orange County Community Foundation will host on Wednesday, Aug. 24 the giving day Greatness Amplified, looking to raise $200,000 for 12 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout Orange County.
Money raised will go toward programs that help students improve academic, vocational and life skills.
Greatness Amplified is part of OCCF’s iheartOC Collaborative Giving Days. In 2021, 10 days of fundraisers drew 8,485 donors and raised a record $4.5 million for 112 local nonprofits.
To give online during the 24-hour Giving Day, go to greatness-amplified-giving-day.ocnonprofitcentral.org.
Rumble Boxing has opened its first location in Orange County at the Los Olivos Marketplace in Irvine. (Courtesy of Rumble Boxing)
Boxing gym debuts in Irvine
Rumble Boxing has opened its first location in Orange County at the Los Olivos Marketplace in Irvine.
The boxing gym, at 8501 Irvine Center Drive, offers customers 45-minute, 10-round, strength and conditioning group workouts using teardrop-style aqua boxing bags and high-intensity strength training circuits.
For more information about Rumble Boxing Los Olivos, go to rumbleboxinggym.com/losolivos, call 949-676-0930 or email at losolivos@rumbleboxinggym.com.
Coastal Kids is celebrating the reopening of its Laguna Niguel location on Aug. 23. This pediatric office doubled its space to 12 exam rooms and now has space for additional providers. (Courtesy of Coastal Kids)
Pediatric group completes renovation in Laguna Niguel
Coastal Kids is celebrating the reopening of its Laguna Niguel location on Aug. 23.
This pediatric office doubled its space to 12 exam rooms and now has space for additional providers.
The event at 25500 Rancho Niguel Road, Suite 110 will include a tour, snacks and treats for the family, face painting and games, plus a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The new office also includes the AccuVax Vaccine Management System, which helps maintain temperature control and includes a dispensing system.
On the move
Kedric Francis, a former Orange County Register associate, has been named director of public relations and communications by South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. He will be responsible for developing and implementing public relations strategies for the shopping center. Francis’ 25-year career in Orange County media includes a decade as founding editor of Riviera, Orange County and more than seven years with the Register as an editorial director, creating various magazines and print and digital campaigns for the newspaper.
San Clemente-based Gilson Daub, a workers’ compensation defense, subrogation, general and longshore liability law firm, has promoted Ed Tsui to managing attorney and Lauren Livingston to assistant manager of its Santa Ana office. Tsui joined Gilson Daub in 2015 as a workers’ compensation defense attorney. Livingston joined Gilson Daub in 2014 as a workers’ compensation defense attorney. The firm, which is expanding, also announced it has hired seven associates across its California offices, including Firusa Torna in Orange County.
State Sen. Dave Min honored Bottle Logic Brewing in Anaheim with the 37th Senate Districts 2022 Small Business of the Year award. (Courtesy of Min’s office)
Local businesses feted by state representatives
Two local businesses have been honored by their California representatives.
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris honored Rose Bakery Café in Corona Del Mar with the “local restaurant spotlight.”
“It was a pleasure to recognize Rose Bakery Café and to get to know Shawn and hear his amazing story and all about this popular spot,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris. “I was inspired by his hard work and dedication to his business that has been in the heart of Corona Del Mar for 23 years!”
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Address: 3536 E Coast Highway Ste C.
State Sen. Dave Min honored Bottle Logic Brewing in Anaheim with the 37th Senate District’s 2022 Small Business of the Year award.
The craft brewery opened its taproom in 2014.
“A local staple and hometown favorite of Anaheim, Bottle Logic’s entrepreneurial spirit and grit are a testament to the limitless potential that comes with opening a small business in California,” Min said in a statement.
Address: 1072 N Armando St.
Status Update is compiled from press releases by contributing writer Karen Levin and edited by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos to sgowen@scng.com. Allow at least one week for publication. Items are edited for length and clarity.
