Valley Focus
CALL FOR ENTRIES
The Tulare County Office of Education is holding the annual Slick Rock Student Film Festival. Submissions close March 29th.
There are several categories students from Junior High to High School can enter. Students from all over the valley can enter. Winners are treated to a red carpet event at the Fox Theater in Downtown Visalia on May 13th.
Travis Walters from the Tulare County Office of Education chats with host Margot Kim about what students learn from working on these projects. See some of last year's winning entries.
Enter today at: http://www.tcoe.org/slickrock/
BOWL FOR KIDS' SAKE
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central California has helped more than 10,000 children since 1969. Sign up to help a mentor a child. Jayme Stevens and Karen Brar explain how important it is to mentor a child and the mission of BBBS of Central California.
Community support is vital. You can pitch in by signing up as a mentor or getting a team together for Bowl For Kids' Sake. This year's theme is Hawaiian! Dress up and have fun!
Studies show kids who have been mentored see their grades go up along with their self-esteem. You don't have to be a good bowler to participate.
You can sign up for the following events:
Bowl For Kids' Sake:
Clovis: Sat, March 19th 12 PM - 2 PM
Fresno: Sat, April 2nd 12 PM - 2PM & 4PM - 6PM
Madera: Sat, April 9th 12 PM -2 PM
Visalia: Sat, April 16th 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Hanford: Sun, April 17th 12 PM - 2 PM
This fun event includes a chance to win prizes. Get your team together and sign up at: http://bigs.org/
Or call (559) 268-2447
FREE TAX HELP
Lindsay Callahan is the new President of United Way Fresno and Madera Counties. She sits on many local boards and has previously worked at Fresno County Office of Education. She has been honored for her community work.
She chats with host Margot Kim about the mission of United Way Fresno and Madera Counties. The aim is to improve the quality of life in our communities. By focusing on the areas of income, education and health, they work towards making permanent and lasting change rather than just giving out charity.
Lindsay is talking about the Vita program...allowing you to get your taxes done for free!
VITA stands for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Earning $62,000 or less and we will prepare and file for FREE. On average, filers can save $200 in tax preparation fees help them keep more of what they earn.
VITA Volunteers are trained and certified by the IRS to maximize your deductions and refunds. Many taxpayers are unaware of tax credits including the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Last Year we completed over 7,000 returns brought in over $12 million back to communities through refunds from tax credits last year.
United Way offers this free in-person filing assistance through April 18th at many locations throughout the Valley.
Call 2-1-1 for hours and locations or visit: http://www.uwfm.org/
JAZZ GREAT HELPS KIDS
Four-time Grammy award-winning composer Billy Childs made a few stops in the Central Valley... and not just to perform.
The musician worked with several jazz bands from local schools this week.
COMMUNITY EVENTS:
HANDS ACROSS THE VALLEY VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS
Hands On Central California
Wednesday, April 13
11:30am-1:30pm
Clovis
Get your tickets: http://www.handsoncentralcal.org/
THE CINDERELLA PROJECT
Valley Health Team
Donate gently used prom dresses for students in need
CROWN CLEANERS:
Bullard/West
Cedar/Nees
Herndon/Fowler
Willow/Nees
Ashlan/Fowler
Kings Canyon
Donations accepted until April 3
(559) 364-2941
KIDS DAY
Valley Children's Hospital
Tuesday, March 8
Buy a paper for one dollar or Text KIDSDAY to 41444 to make any donation
