A new year means new resolutions, and for some it can be harder to stick to those resolutions than others. The good news is that if your resolution is to be your best, be more involved in our community, and/or make Larimer County a better place, we have tools to help you succeed for the month, and even the whole year!

Below are four ways to make a difference this new year:

Free Tax Prep. With the new year, comes filing taxes. How can this help you stick to your resolutions or even help the community you ask? Well, there are two ways:

1) If you are a smart cookie and you have some free time on your hands, you can volunteer to help prepare taxes for qualifying people. Free training is provided. It’s a great resume builder and makes a big difference. Click here to learn more.

2) You can make your friend or relative's day by informing them of free tax preparation opportunities if they made less than $57,000 in
2015. Free tax preparation means more money in their pocket, so who wouldn’t be happy? The VITA sites open in February. Be sure to check our blog, Facebook, or call 2-1-1 for locations and times later in January.

Serve on a Board of Directors. Quarterly, United Way holds a Board Bank training, which focuses on helping people achieve their goal of serving on a non-profit board. This training provides an overview of the general requirements, commitment, and responsibilities of someone serving on a board, and it allows the volunteer to learn more about possible nonprofits they can be paired with. The next Board Bank training will be held on January 26, 2016, so sign up today!

Connect and celebrate. The 10th Annual WomenGive Luncheon is fast approaching on February 25th! This is one of our most popular events and provides a great opportunity to meet new people, network, and join an outstanding cause dedicated to helping moms and children in Larimer County have a better life. You can host a table at the luncheon and invite nine of your friends to join in celebrating 10 years of impact. Not interested in hosting a whole table? Individual attendees can register online starting January 7, 2016.

Make a donation. Don’t have the time to volunteer? You can still make the community a better place by giving back financially. We make it easy for you to know that your dollars are making a difference in the long-term success of Larimer County. As a Charity Navigator 4-Star nonprofit, United Way of Larimer County is dedicated to addressing the root causes that influence poverty. Gifts of any size, even $10 or $20 can make a difference the lives of people like Artie, Diego, and Theresa.

We look forward to another great year of working towards our goal of reducing poverty in Larimer County. Stay tuned for more opportunities to make a difference throughout the year. Thank you for all you do to make our community great!