SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
February 18, 2025
Sullivan’s Salvos 2/20/25
In this edition:
*Things You Can Do
*Free Tax Help!
*DVIP & RVAP Souper Bowl
*Big Brothers Big Sisters
*Good Samaritan
*I Fell For It Again!
*Did You Know?
*Things You Can Do
Most of the people I know are stressed. They often feel scared, frustrated, and helpless. It is not good!
So what can we do about it? Here is a list! This is derived from several sources, including my own opinions, and covers local, state, and federal levels.
1. Take care of yourself. Get enough rest, don’t overdo the mind-altering substances, and see a professional if need be. It is like the old airplane analogy – in order to help others, put on your own air mask first.
2. Take care of others. Take produce or cookies to a neighbor. Babysit, dog walk, show them how to use the computer, or shovel snow. Help your neighbors get by, and build community at the same time!
3. Show some grace. Everyone is angry. Be extra kind to baristas, wait staff, convenience store clerks, civil servants, and the rest. Show them kindness, and they will pass it on.
4. Get together with friends and family. Gathering is important. Get face-to-face with people you care about, and people who care about you.
5. Volunteer at a local non-profit. These places do important work right here in our community. Most can find work that will fit your skills, interests, abilities, and schedule.
6. Donate to these same organizations. They need it now more than ever. Even $10-$20 helps, especially if you can convince others to do the same!
7. Boycott companies that are deeply in bed with Kim Reynolds and/or Donald Trump. I get it – there are a lot of them. I’m not suggesting you starve yourself or make yourself miserable. But try not to reward the bad actors. (Unsure of the players? Info is available online.)
8. Help organized labor. Join a union if you can! If that is not an option, join a picket line or action. Ask local labor leaders how you can be of help to the cause.
9. Get involved in partisan politics. Reynolds and Trump created this mess. The only way out, frankly, is to beat them. Get involved in the local Democratic Party, and find out what you can do to help! I know they need your time, talent, and treasure!
10. Show up for community actions, protests, and events. Your presence demonstrates support for the issue, and makes it easier for others to join the opposition.
11. Keep abreast of the news – especially local news – but do not go down the route of doomscrolling. You need to know what is going on. But you need not fight about it online. Strike a balance.
That is my list. Do you have similar thoughts? If so, please feel free to share them!
*Free Tax Help!
Tax season just got easier for qualifying households in Johnson County. The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax preparation services for low-to-moderate income residents, thanks to trained volunteers from the Johnson County Social Services Department. These services will be available until April 9, 2025.
The VITA program offers two convenient options for tax preparation assistance. Taxpayers with an income of $67,000 or less in 2024 can have their returns completed and filed by an IRS-certified tax preparer at no cost. Appointments are required and can be scheduled at www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/vita. Additionally, taxpayers making under $84,000 in 2024 can access free resources to file their taxes on their own.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) estimates that 20% of American workers do not claim the refundable tax credits for which they are eligible, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). EITC is a special benefit for working people with an annual household income of less than $67,000. Workers who qualify for the EITC and file a federal tax return may be eligible for a portion or all the federal income tax taken out of their pay during the year. They may also receive additional cash back from the IRS, including workers whose earnings were too small to owe income tax, through the EITC.
Trained volunteer tax preparers help ensure that eligible taxpayers claim the EITC and any other qualifying tax credits, maximizing potential refunds.
Electronic filing is provided so that taxpayers can receive their tax refunds quickly. Taxpayers using VITA volunteers, or the free filing software to file taxes, are not charged for tax preparation or for receiving their refunds.
For more information on these services, visit www.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/vita.
*DVIP & RVAP Souper Bowl
DVIP & RVAP is excited to announce the return of their annual Souper Bowl event! Since it began 28 years ago, the Souper Bowl has grown into the DVIP & RVAP’s biggest fundraising event, helping to ensure the organization can continue its mission of advocating and providing support services for survivors of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, stalking, and harassment.
This event was created by current Executive Director, Kristie Fortmann-Doser, to challenge the myth that more violence occurs against women around the NFL Super Bowl. Violence against women, men, and children happens every day in our community, and around the world. 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will be affected by intimate partner abuse in their lifetime.
The Souper Bowl will take place Thursday, February 20th, from 5-7:30 PM at the Highlander Hotel (2525 Highlander Pl, Iowa City).
In honor of the 28th year, the event will feature 28 different soups from participating restaurants, 28 retail, and artist bowl providers, and with support from the community, the organization aims to raise $28,000 to continue providing confidential and free crisis intervention services to over 2,500 individuals per year.
Tickets will go on sale on January 6th, 2025. Ticket options are as follows:
$75: VIP – early access to bowl selection and commemorative gift
$35: General admission
$25: Student, volunteer, or sliding scale (no bowl)
Children 12 and under eat free (no bowl)
$35: Give the gift of soup. Purchase a ticket for staff or client participation.
Through the generous support of the event sponsors, 100% of ticket purchases will go directly to supporting victim-
*Big Brothers Big Sisters
The Sullivan for Supervisor team is once again raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County by Bowling For Kids’ Sake.
BBBS is REALLY important! Statistics show that having a trusted adult mentor makes an unbelievable difference in the life of a child. Kids with BBBS matches do better academically, are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol, and are less likely to be involved in the criminal justice system. This simple idea WORKS.
Please contribute to the Sullivan for Supervisor team at:
https://secure.qgiv.com/event/account/1907519/edit/
*Good Samaritan
Vice President JD Vance obviously does not understand the parable of the Good Samaritan. Pope Francis said so himself!
Vance recently made a case for taking care of your immediate family first, then working outward in concentric circles as you feel able. This is in direct opposition to the Good Samaritan. Understand – the Samaritans were the enemies of the Jews! They were hated enemies! By saving a Jew, the Good Samaritan helped the *least likely* person he could have helped.
When Jesus is asked, “And who is my neighbor?” he replies with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The *whole point* is that “your neighbor” is the person in need, regardless of who they are.
JD Vance does not get it. Or does not want to. But let’s not allow him to rewrite the Bible.
*I Fell For It Again!
I am such a romantic fool. I fell for it once again…
After the storm last week, I Googled, “How much snow did we get?” Up popped an article. From the Press Citizen. My heart raced a bit! Might the “local” (hah!) newspaper have written such an article?
I looked over both shoulders, and clicked. It was an article – in the Press Citizen – with the headline “How much snow did we get?” I hurriedly clicked again.
And there was an article. With snowfall totals for Des Moines. Like Charlie Brown and Lucy, I trusted yet again. Rest assured – this was the last time I ever click on the Press Citizen! (I want to love them. But they continue to make me hate them.)
*DID YOU KNOW? A couple strange but true Iowa laws: It is illegal for a man with a mustache to kiss a woman in public. It is also law that a one-armed piano player must perform for free. (Source: ISU Extension.)
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
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As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan29@gmail.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 8:14 AM
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