LEWISTON – The Lewiston-Auburn Tax Credit Awareness Coalition celebrated a record-setting tax refund season at a recent recognition banquet for its 2007 volunteers tax preparers/schedulers/greeters.

Through the coalition’s 2004-2007 annual efforts, $3,885,821 has been claimed in refunds by area residents.

The coalition established and operated free tax prep sites from Jan. 22 to March 31 at River Valley Village, Auburn City Building and at a “mega site” at the Multi-Purpose Center, the latter due to a Department of Justice Community Capacity Weed and Seed Technical Assistance Grant.

During the 2007 tax season, IRS-trained volunteers prepared tax returns for 990 clients. Residents claimed $1,362,269 in federal benefits, which included $537,502 in Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) benefits. In addition, state benefits claimed during the recent tax season totaled $249,463.

Mayor Laurent F. Gilbert Sr., who attended the celebration, said, “I am extremely proud to represent a community where such civic engagement is resulting in a boost to not only low and moderate income workers but to the local economy as well.”

Lewiston City Councilors Lillian LaFontaine O’Brien and Ronald W. Jean also attended the evening, and O’Brien reflected on the start of the EITC outreach when she, Jean and Council President Renee Bernier visited Boston in June 2003 to learn more about its campaign.

Since 2004, the coalition has promoted EITC awareness so that more eligible low and moderate income workers will apply for the federal benefit toward increasing their financial stability. The benefit is intended to reduce the tax burden on those workers, supplement wages and assist in the welfare-to-work transition and is in addition to any other tax credit a worker may be eligible for.

During the 2007 tax season, the coalition also stepped-up its focus on financial education, and its efforts have resulted in 150 individuals requesting asset-building assistance, such as debt counseling, money management and home ownership.

During the recognition banquet, EITC/AARP volunteers were recognized by the Internal Revenue Service and Casey Family Services, both coalition partners: Christine Adler, David Adler, Paul Applegate, Cheryl Black, Tom Carignan, Dave Cutter, Melody Fish, Bill Henderson, Monica Lee, Marilou McDonald, Paul Maheux, Carole Ressler, Paul Scalzone, Charlie Swett, Rhoby Treadwell, Andy Michaud, Richard Beaulieu, Donald Linscott, Claire Breton, Frances Lodge, Richard Moore, Yolande Gay and Roland Metayer.

Appointment schedulers were also recognized: Bob Cavanaugh, Frances Lodge, Richard Moore and Andrea Defilipp. Recognized greeters included Tina Bailey and Amy Levasseur. KC Geiger was lauded for his countless hours as site coordinator, and Dottie Perham-Whittier and Chris Adler were recognized for their service as co-chairwomen of the coalition.