Elyria, OH – The Veteran of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1079 in Elyria donated $2,500 to United
Way of Greater Lorain County’s United Community Assistance Network (UCAN) Community
Collaborative and the Free Tax Prep Coalition in support of local veterans.
UCAN is a United Way community collaborative focused on providing residents of Greater
Lorain County with year-round access to emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, or
other emergency basic needs. The collaborative utilizes a shared application form available at
ucanapply.org that allows case managers to serve people in need from a single site
geographically located near the resident’s home.
The Free Tax Prep Coalition is a United Way-led impact initiative that prepares and files state
and federal taxes free of charge for low-to-moderate income workers. The coalition also recruits
and trains volunteers to become IRS-certified tax preparers who staff multiple sites across
Lorain County with professionalism and confidentiality. Tax filers can make appointments
during tax season by calling 2-1-1.
Last year, 6% of UCAN households served and 11.5% of tax clients self-identified as veterans.
“We are honored that Elyria VFW Post 1079 made this gift in support of veterans facing financial
hardships on a daily basis,” said United Way of Greater Lorain County President and CEO Ryan
Aroney. “We’re forever grateful for the service of all veterans and thankful that this gift will help
us continue to provide those in need with the essential services they deserve.”
The Thomas Mihalis Memorial VFW Post 1079 in Elyria is one of the largest posts among the
more than 300 in the State of Ohio. Since 2011, VFW Post 1079 has donated more than half a
million dollars back to community organizations and causes. The VFW is the nation’s largest
and oldest major war veterans’ organizations representing over 1.5 million VFW and auxiliary
members.
Post Commander Wally Lijana stated, “It’s our privilege and honor to support United Way of
Greater Lorain County with this gift to help local veterans.”
To learn more about United Way of Greater Lorain County Community Collaboratives and
Impact Initiatives, visit uwloraincounty.org or call 440-277-6530. For Elyria VFW Post 1079
information, visit their post at 500 S. Abbe Rd in Elyria, or call (330) 365-8500.
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United Way of Greater Lorain County leads community-wide innovation to tackle problems that
most people say can’t be solved. In unforgiving cities, overlooked townships, and seemingly
docile suburbs. We find every dollar we can to address them. But we are more than the
fundraisers. United Way brings together over 150 organizations to power 10 Community
Collaboratives. Together, we fight for the health, education, and financial stability of low-income
working families who need our help in Greater Lorain County. We have one life. To live better, we
must Live United. Learn more at uwloraincounty.org or by calling 440-277-6530.
