UNION TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Marylin Verdin knows her volunteer efforts as a tax preparer are making a difference for her Clermont County neighbors. The proof comes in the form of the many heartfelt thank-yous she receives each year.

Every Thursday and Friday during tax season, Marylin and her team volunteer at the Free Tax Prep site within the Clermont County Public Library. Free Tax Prep is a United Way of Greater Cincinnati initiative powered by people like Marylin who are dedicated to helping families and individuals bolster their financial futures and experience less stress during filing.

How dedicated is Marylin? Well, she's been a volunteer tax preparer for 35 years. Because many taxpayers return to her year after year, she's come to know them and their families. "I listen to their stories, and they're very proud and very thankful," she said. "I know I am making a difference."

Marylin worked for the IRS in Fresno, California, before moving to Ohio to be closer to family. Her family and extended family keep her busy when it isn't tax season. As soon as she files her last return this year, she will welcome a new great-grandbaby to the family.

Much has changed since Marylin first became a volunteer tax preparer. "We would fill out the paper tax forms by hand using carbon paper, writing out the full name, address, employer and more," she said. Now the tax forms are all online and each volunteer tax preparer has a computer and a printer. Marylin joked that although using computers has made the job faster, she has added IT troubleshooter to her job description.

On behalf of our community and the countless families she has served, UWGC celebrates and thanks Marylin for the amazing impact she has made. We couldn't do it without volunteers like her!