For most accounting professionals, tax season ends with a sigh of relief on April 15; But not for June Wesbury. June, who is a retired C.P.A. and Willow Valley Retirement Communities Resident, volunteers year-round as Lancaster County’s regional coordinator for the AARP Tax-Aide program, the largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service in the nation.

According to the AARP, the Tax-Aide program is offered at approximately 6,500 locations nationwide in senior centers, libraries, community centers, and other convenient locations. Thousands of low- and moderate-income taxpayers and seniors depend on the Tax-Aide program for help in filing their federal, state, and local tax returns.

June first volunteered with the Tax-Aide program while living in Arizona. “I wanted to use my energy, my talents and my time,” she says. “Before I knew it, I was the local coordinator in Scottsdale.”

When June and her husband moved to Willow Valley nine years ago, she connected with two Residents who had also done AARP taxes. “We knew there was such a need for a tax service in downtown Lancaster for inner city, low-income people.”

It wasn’t long before June and her husband purchased three computers and set up a Tax-Aide site in a church in downtown Lancaster.

As regional coordinator, June works year-round training and planning in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. June is in charge of training the Tax-Aide volunteers to assist with filing the 1040 Form and electronic filing.

“We must pass a test the IRS puts together, and every one of my volunteers must be certified,” June explains. “I’ve done all of the teaching since we started here. I literally work full-time during tax season. I leave home at 8 a.m., and I get back at 6 p.m., and then I e-mail in the evening.”

Last year, more than 3000 citizens benefited from her work. For her service, in Arizona and in Lancaster, PA, spanning over 15 years, June has been recognized as an exemplary volunteer and named an AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Fellow. “We do tax returns for a terrific number of retired people with limited incomes and lots of single parents. It just does your heart good knowing you’re helping disadvantaged people,” June says. “Many of our clients are frightened when they come in. They’re intimidated by the paperwork, and they’re afraid they’re going to do something wrong. You’re helping people and you’re using your mind. It’s a wonderful volunteer effort.”