HANAPEPE — Charley Rebb was having a red letter day Thursday at the Hanapepe Public Library. The volunteer tax preparer was celebrating his 94th birthday by helping low income and elderly fill out their paperwork, and as usual, he was
HANAPEPE — Charley Rebb was having a red letter day Thursday at the Hanapepe Public Library.
The volunteer tax preparer was celebrating his 94th birthday by helping low income and elderly fill out their paperwork, and as usual, he was in fine work.
“I love doing this,” Rebb said. “I started 22 years ago on Oahu, and today marks the start of my 23rd year doing taxes. As a retired firefighter, I love to help people. It makes me feel real good — especially if I can get them some money back.”
The special day didn’t go unnoticed.
Coleen Kasperek took a moment to plant a birthday candle on Rebb’s cupcake and lighting it before the waiting line of people was let in.
“We’ll celebrate with cupcakes,” said Brian Kasperek, Westside coordinator with AARP Foundation Tax-Aide.
Brian Kasperek said the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program could use some help.
“You can see the number of people who turned out,” Brian said. “Volunteers are needed to help prepare taxes for these people. Last year, the Kekaha Federal Credit Union did about 400 returns for people on the Westside. This year, that person became ill so they won’t be able to do returns.”
Coleen, who has been doing tax preparation for 13 years, said they visited the Kekaha Neighborhood Center last week.
“There were at least 45 people who needed returns done,” she said. “Charley was there and he and the other tax preparers worked for more than seven hours.”
The Westside AARP Foundation Tax-Aide will be meeting at sites through April 7.
