(Canton, OH) Jan. 12, 2010—United Way of Greater Stark County, Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) and The Repository are co-sponsoring the second annual Family Financial Fair, Sat., Jan. 30 at Timken High School from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event is free to the public and will feature exhibits and educational presentations from community experts. SARTA will be providing free transportation to fair attendees along regular routes from Alliance, Massillon and Canton to and from Timken High School from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Exhibits and presenters will cover topics including improving credit reports & scores, retirement planning, investment basics, foreclosure prevention, identity theft prevention, savings, banking basics, legal tips, budgeting and more.

“We are proud to co-sponsor this educational event,” says Maria Heege, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Stark County. “We want to point individuals in the right direction when it comes to their finances and help families in their efforts to manage their finances and reach long-term saving goals. This event fully represents the United Way mission to help others during difficult and worrisome times.”

The United Way Financial Stability Partnership’s goal is to boost efforts towards a positive economic future for residents of Stark County. The partnership includes members from Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Attorney General of the State of Ohio, Stark County Auditor’s office, representatives of United Way service providers, United Way’s 2-1-1 Information and Referral and community volunteers.

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United Way financial stability resources now available online for taxpayers and employers

Countywide Free Tax Preparation Sites

Stark County residents can access free tax preparation locations, times and phone numbers to make an appointment in communities throughout greater Stark County. A list of items needed to have tax returns prepared is included.

Visit http://www.uwgsc.org/Free_Tax_Return_Preparation.php

Employers’ Financial Stability Toolkit provides employers materials to assist workforce

Online promotional tools designed for use by workplaces and organizations include tools to increase awareness of the EITC Tax Benefit for taxpayers, to provide access to free tax return preparation information, to gain access to the services United Way’s 2-1-1 Information and Referral hotline offers and to promote the community Family Financial Fair on Saturday, Jan. 30 at Timken High School. Visit http://www.uwgsc.org/Workforce_Financial_Tools.php.

As part of a countywide effort to increase economic independence and family financial stability, the United Way of Greater Stark County is collaborating with community partners to offer tips on financial planning, tax benefits and money management so individuals and families can better weather the current economic climate.

United Way’s Financial Stability Partnership includes members from Consumer Credit Counseling Services, Attorney General of the State of Ohio, Stark County Auditor’s office, representatives of United Way service providers, United Way’s 2-1-1 Information and Referral and community volunteers.

United Way of Greater Stark County is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to improve lives in measurable and lasting ways by mobilizing thousands of people around a common goal: advancing the common good. United Way funds programs that focus on Early Education & Care, Graduation & Training and Family Stability. United Way believes these are the building blocks for a good life and that a quality education leads to a stable job, enough income to support a family through retirement, a safe place to live and good health.

For more information about United Way visit www.uwgsc.org. Headquarters are at 4825 Higbee Avenue NW, Suite 101, Canton, Ohio 44718. Dial (330) 491-0445 to reach the offices.

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