The volunteer: Valerie Watts is one of several volunteers at Pascal Senior Center in Glen Burnie who help seniors prepare their income taxes as part of the county's Volunteers In Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
A native of England, Mrs. Watts came to the United States in 1965 just to "see a bit of America," but she met the man she married and has lived in Glen Burnie with her husband, Ralph, since 1967.
Working with numbers and forms is nothing new to Mrs. Watts. She worked as a bookkeeper for three years with Maryland Fiber Corp., based in Glen Burnie, and has taken college courses in accounting.
On occasion, she also volunteers in two other Department of Aging programs -- the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy program (HICAP) and a home-visitation and health care program for the elderly.
Mrs. Watts' comments: "When I finished [tax] training . . . I had to find a site to work at and someone suggested Pascal. That was TTC the 1990 tax season, and I've gone back ever since because I love it there. I've never met such a wonderful group of people to work with. The [senior] centers are great.
"It's just so fulfilling. It's exactly what I like to do.
"I never did go out and look for another job because it would interfere with my volunteer work. I was never involved with people like I am now, and when I started at Pascal, it was so different. I feel fortunate to be there.
"Every tax that's done is reviewed for accuracy. I go in a couple of days a week to do that, and I helped do the instructors' class this year [for volunteers].
"It's the people that are there that makes me feel like going back."
About the Program: VITA's trained volunteers provide free tax assistance at area senior centers.
Pascal offers assistance Monday through Friday. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 222-6680.
"Volunteer Spotlight" is compiled by Kevin Harrison. To recommend someone, call the Anne Arundel Bureau, 315-8911, any time or fax information to 315-8916 or mail it to: The Sun for Anne Arundel, 8131 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, 21122.