WINONA LAKE — The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will kick off its 10th year of service to Kosciusko County with a public reception at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 23.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer, Grace College President Dr. Bill Katip, Director of the William P. Gordon Institute for Enterprise Development Dr. Al Grossnickle and VITA volunteers will be at the reception at the Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center lower-level lobby, located at 610 Wooster Road, Winona Lake.

Since 2010, VITA has completed thousands of free tax returns totaling more than $2.5 million in refunds to residents of Warsaw, Winona Lake and surrounding communities.

Since 2010, the William P. Gordon Institute for Enterprise Development at the Grace College School of Business and United Way of Kosciusko County have sponsored the IRS-endorsed VITA program in the county. VITA offers free tax preparation to elderly, disabled, and lower-income individuals filing a basic tax return. Volunteers, including Grace College business students, professors and certified public accountants have made the service possible in the community.