LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – There have been many devastating events happening lately, one right after another. Lives and homes have been lost, and it feels as though the tidal wave of tragedies is relentless.

And yet there are many of our neighbors who still make a meaningful impact in our community.

One example is North Coast Opportunities’ “Earn It! Keep It! Save It!”, or EKS, volunteer, Wade Koeninger.

Koeninger is a volunteer tax preparer with NCO’s Volunteer Network EKS program in Ukiah.

He is thorough and accurate. He is patient and kind. He enjoys talking with his clients, the other volunteers and all the staff.

Koeninger received high ratings from the taxpayers he has helped, and his fellow volunteers feel he is pleasant and fun to be around.

He often has answers to unexpected tax law questions, and knows his way around the tax preparation software program as well as any of the other volunteers. He is quick to help others having trouble.

During one Saturday lunch break, the staff and volunteers were discussing how much they enjoyed the EKS or VITA program. Koeninger's comment was particularly of note. He said, "I worked for Proctor and Gamble for over 30 years, and never did I feel the personal satisfaction I feel after a day of preparing tax returns with VITA."

As successful as the NCO VITA program is, every year VITA has to actively recruit volunteers. So many people are afraid they won't be competent enough to pass the certification test or understand the computer software. But if Koeninger can do it, most any volunteer can.

Why do they say that? Because Koeninger is 90 years old!

If you would like to be trained as an NCO VITA volunteer and help local families get back the money they deserve at tax time, just visit www.unitedwaywinecountry.org.

Trainings begin on Jan. 12 at Mendocino College in Ukiah (for three Saturdays) and on Jan. 16 at North Coast Opportunities in Lakeport (for three Wednesdays).

Call 707-462-1959 for more information about the trainings or email Kayla Harrison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..