The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) provides free electronic, or E-file and traditional paper income tax filing assistance for low-to-moderate income and elderly tax filers.  According to an article appearing in the January 18th News Leader, the VITA volunteers are certified by the IRS and work in cooperation with the Real Sense Prosperity Campaign, a United Way initiative, and the Nassau County Public Library System.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made at the Atlantic Rec Center and the Peck Center by calling the Fernandina Beach Library at 277-7365. Walk-ins will be assisted after those with appointments. Please bring the following items with you to your appointment:

• Photo ID
• Your 2010 Tax Return
• All 2011 Tax Documents such as W-2s, 1099s and SSA-1099s.

VITA volunteers cannot work from year-end documents.

Appointments at the main auditorium of the Atlantic Rec Center, located at 2500 Atlantic Blvd, are Tues and Thurs. from 1 to 5 pm beginning on Jan. 24th to April 12th.

Appointments at the Peck Center, located at 516 South 10th St. are Weds from 4 to 7 pm begining  Jan. 25th to April 11th in the reception room. 

Tax assistance will also be available at the WorkSource office located at 96042 Lofton Square Court, Yulee until April 12th. on Tues. and Thurs from 9 am to 3 pm. Please call 432-0009 ext 2660 to make a reservation.

Please click on the “downloads” icon on the lower left corner of the COA homepage to access a 2 page PDF file of our recent groundbreaking event held on Jan. 6, 2012.  There’s also a photo album on Coa Facebook page. 

A groundbreaking ceremony was held at 4 p.m. on Friday, January 6, to celebrate the start of the construction phase of the Council on Aging of Nassau County’s relocation project.

Auld & White Construction Company recently completed all the site prep work and Bush Construction Company is in place to begin building The Transportation Center. A Dispatch Center, Driver Room (an area for training, and utilization between trips for safety breaks), and
staff offices will be housed at The Transportation Center. The site will include functional exterior areas for cleaning and maintaining the fleet, with a locked vehicle storage area plus camera surveillance for improved security. The Transportation Center will also allow the COA to improve working conditions of their employees and provide better service to their clients. Construction is expected to be completed in April.

Artist's rendering of COA's new Transportation Center

L to R: COA Transportation Manager Greg Frick, James Bennett, Philip Worth and Tom Moss COA Executive Director.

Doran Donovan, A COA supporter, signs a special matte to mark the occasion.

In attendance were Philip Worth and James Bennett, representing FDOT who funded a major portion of the project along with representatives from both the County and City governments, who also provided funding. These individuals joined with members of the COA Board of Directors, and other friends and donors to COA, to turn the first shovelfuls of dirt to signify the official start of construction. Light refreshments were served following the ceremony at the existing Senior Center for all those who attended the ceremony, including government officials, donors, volunteers and COA staff.

While The Transportation Center is fully funded, the COA’s greatest challenge lies ahead as they continue their efforts to raise funds to complete the new senior center building, deemed The Life Center, to replace the existing building across the street from Baptist Hospital Nassau. COA’s goal is to begin construction of The Life Center as soon as possible after the completion of the Transportation Center. Through donations and pledges, we are well on our way towards having the funding we need. The COA will continue reach out to the local community seeking individuals and businesses looking for their support, while also actively seeking grants from government organization and foundations that support senior projects. With everyone’s help, this dream can become a reality. Any and all donations will allow the COA to significantly increase and improve services provided to today’s seniors and generations of seniors to come. If you would like to be part of the of this worthwhile project please contact Susan Lee, Community Relations Director at slee@coanassau.com or 904.261.0701 x 120.

The Council on Aging is a 501-c-3 non-profit agency. We cheerfully deliver critical services to Nassau County seniors in five categories including Meals on Wheels, COA Transportation, In-Home Care, and Adult Day Health Care, while operating two senior recreation centers. We are partially funded by government grants and donations from private individuals.

COA Celebrates the Success of the Eighth Fall Gala, Grateful to Sponsors and Donors

2011 Gala Chairs: Fran Shea and Jessica Styers

“The outpouring of local support from the community was something to see and experience! I want to let the community know that we were “sold out” and that the Gala exceeded our expectations for this year,” said Gala Co-Chair, Fran Shea. The Council on Aging of Nassau is very pleased with the results of its 8th Annual Fall Gala celebrating the “Season of Life” at the Omni Hotels & Resorts, Amelia Island Plantation last Sunday, October 9. We want to especially thank: Gold Sponsors — The Jane Adams House, Assisted Living Community; Janet Carver, Esq., Elder Attorney-at-Law; First Coast Community Bank; Heekin Orthopedic Specialists; Edward Jones, Pam Brown, Financial Advisor; Hoyt House, a Luxury Inn, Deborah Gold, Innkeeper; Omni Hotels & Resorts, Amelia Island Plantation; and The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island: Silver Sponsors — Baptist Medical Center Nassau, CBC National Bank, Nina Rodale Houghton, Stephen & Susan Kaye, Allen & Sharon Lennon , Thomas H. Moss, III, Joan Palazzolo, Publix Super Markets Charities, Robert & Janet Ross, Ed & Sandy Sproat, George & Fran Shea, Jessica Styers, and Wells Fargo: Friends of COA — Ron Anderson, Bill & Sue Bartholomae, Otis & Joan Bowden, James & Lois Callahan, Alan & Joan Donaldson, John & Frances Esposito, James & Attavia Facciolo, Steve & Arlene Filkoff, James Gildenston, Patricia Jacobs, Stephan & JoAnn Leimberg, Bill & Marcy Mock, Susan Murphy, William & Patricia Rabitaille, Don & Dee Stalcup, and Joe & Jeanne Wyatt and Elizabeth
Wilkes Photography (photo credit for attached photos.)

“We are grateful to everyone who attended and supported the mission of the Council on Aging of Nassau,” said Jessica Styers, Gala Co-Chair. “Although the live and silent auctions were well supported, many attendees went further — contributing monetarily to buy services for especially frail seniors in urgent need, even adopting a senior — what a way for the community to express their generous spirit to COA,” Gala Co-Chair Fran Shea added. A special thank you to all of our Live/Silent Auction Donors who contributed and helped to make the Gala a success: 2nd to None, Amelia Hotel at the Beach, Amelia National Golf Club, Amelia River
Cruises, Armoirs Etc., Arte’s Pizza, Bar Zin, Baxter’s Restaurant, Bonito Grill & Sushi, Mary Borshard, Mike & Charlotte Bowling, Brickyard Crossing, Tom Byrnes, Cafe Karibo, CBC National Bank, Cathy Chapman, Mike Clemens, Sandy & Mike Clower, Coastal Island Inshore Charters, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Marlene Duetcher, Elements Salon, Elizabeth Pointe Lodge, Elizabeth Trading Company, Espana Restaurant & Tapas, Frugal Cachet, Front & Centre, Gander Mountain, Golf at North Hampton, Gourmet Gourmet, Greyfield Inn, Harris Teeter Supermarkets, Captain Hendrix, Horizon’s Restaurant, Bill Houston, Hoyt House B&B, Island Photography, Jacksonville Golf & Country Club, Kayak Amelia, Kelly Seahorse Ranch, Jane & Bob Lindberg, Lee Chiropractic, Lott’s Furniture, Janet Lynne Salon, Magna’s Salon, William & Kathleen Maurer, Sean McCarthy, Merge Restaurant, Captain Mills-A.C. Charters, Gail Morgan, Nassau Diamond Showroom, Omni Hotels & Resorts AIP, Ocean Outboard Marine, Old South Yankee, Oyster Bay Harbor Club, Pepper’s Mexican Grill & Cantina, Peterbrooke Chocolatiers, Pinch-a-Penny Pool Equipment, Residence Inn, Robison Jewelry Company, RockTenn, San Jose Mexican Grill, Sawgrass Country Club, Scott & Sons Fine Jewelry, Sol Pedal, Spray Foam Insulation Co., Subway, Teresa Caine Jewelry Designs, The Ritz Carlton AIP, The Surf Restaurant & Bar, Twisted Sisters, Ron Turner, Bob Wells, Well Traveled Living, White Oak Nature Preserve, Wilson’s, Windy Harbor Mayport Country Club, Windward Sailing School. Please join all of us at Council on Aging in thanking our generous donors!

The Council on Aging is a 501-c-3 non-profit agency. We cheerfully deliver critical services to Nassau County seniors in five categories: Meals on Wheels, COA Transportation, In-Home Care, and Adult Day Health Care, while operating two Senior Recreation Centers. We are partially funded by government grants and donations from private individuals.