LEWISTON - Local folks claimed more than $1.8 million in federal and state benefits through an earned-income credit program sponsored by the city.

"Take the Money; You've Earned It" was the slogan touted throughout the 2008 tax season by members of the Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness CA$H Coalition - and people listened.

At the coalition's free income tax preparation sites, 1,104 taxpayers were served as part of the group's annual Earned Income Tax Credit awareness campaign. They claimed a total of $1.5 million in federal benefits and $285,985 in state benefits.

Since the EITC campaign began in 2004, a total of $5.7 million has been claimed.

Coalition members and volunteers celebrated the campaign's success at their 5th annual Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness CA$H Coalition recognition event on April 28.

IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers, asset-building coaches, appointment schedulers and the coalition's grant record-keeper were recognized at the event: Christine Adler, Richard Beaulieu, Cheryl Black, Lisa Bolen, Claire Breton, Thomas Carignan, Linda Chiaravelotti, David Cutter, Melody Fish, Yolande Gay, KC Geiger, Monica Lee, Donald Linscott, Frances Lodge, Marilou MacDonald, Paul Maheux, Roland Metayer, Andy Michaud, Richard Moore, Carole Ressler, Charlie Swett, Susan Tymoczko, Steve Veazey, Robert Wailus, Charles "Chuck" Carter Jr., Deanna Jackson, Joyce St. Pierre, Margo Reis, Richard Carrier, Robert Cavanaugh, Janet Daniels and Lewiston City Councilor Tina Bailey.

Coalition partners are the city of Lewiston, Internal Revenue Service, Androscoggin County Chamber of Commerce, Androscoggin Head Start & Child Care, City of Auburn, Empower Lewiston, Women, Work & Community, Department of Justice Community Capacity Weed & Seed, Maine Family Federal Credit Union, Key Bank, Pine Tree Legal, Consumer Credit Counseling of Maine, Lewiston Career Center, Casey Family Services, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Coastal Enterprises, Inc., Lewiston Adult Education, AARP Tax Aide Program, United Somali Women of Maine, Volunteers of America, HUD and retired senior citizens.