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"Our mission at CAC is to lend a hand, not a handout, and this is one of our main programs to promote self sufficiency," commented CAC Executive Director Lillie L. Williams.

Studies show that 28 million American families are eligible for low and low-middle income tax credits, but an estimated 6 million do not receive the credits because they are not aware they qualify.

"Parents may earn up to $39,000 and still qualify in many cases," Williams commented, "but they feel their incomes are too high and so they do not apply."

These benefits include the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Child Care and Development Tax Credit and the state Home Heating Tax Credit and the Homestead Property Tax Credit. "For a low-middle income worker," said Williams, "this may amount to the equivalent of two or even three months of take-home pay."

The CAC also offers a Mortgage Foreclosure prevention and a Weatherization Program.

Mary McMath, Links to Home Ownership project manager, will conduct workshops from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Monday and Friday in February that deal with budgeting, various forms of mortgage financing, debt ratios, foreclosure prevention, inspections, settlement agreements and purchase agreements.

The CAC's Weatherization Program continues with workshops at 10:30 a.m. on February 15 and March 19, where eligible participants will receive kits including caulk, stripping, a low-flow showerhead, a pair of low-watt florescent light bulbs, plastic window covers and a $50 payment certificate from Consumers Energy.

Located at 2824 Perkins in Saginaw, CAC is open on Mondays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

For more information, call the Saginaw County CAC at 989-753-7741, or visit www.cbpp.org/eic2008.

New Growth for Riverside Flowers And Greenhouses

Chesaning's Hometown Florist under new ownership, remodels

CHESANING - A 35-year-old family business, Riverside Flowers and Greenhouses is growing. The florist shop received recent remodeling during the last weekend in January under the new ownership of Jennifer and Dennis Mahoney.

Jennifer Mahoney-the daughter of the shop's prior owners, Bernard and Diane Adams-has been working with the family business since she was young. Dennis Mahoney is also the president of The Saginaw County Agriculture Society and a farmer. The couple, newly married in December 2007, have been running the business since August.

"We're just bringing in new updated home dÈcor but with the same traditions," said Jennifer Mahoney.

The florist's new merchandise includes garden accents such as outdoor clocks, weather stations, hand blown glass gazing balls and garden thermometers. Indoor and outdoor fountains and garden statues, along with new spring wreaths and arrangements are all on display in their newly decorated showroom.

Riverside will also be offering 12-month celebration packages Upon registering, a customer's special occasions will be remembered for him or her.

A current Valentine's Day special offers free in town delivery with an early order. The shop also sells candies, balloons and chocolates along with their mixed floral arrangements for the February holiday.

Riverside offers delivery services to the surrounding areas, including St. Charles, Hemlock, Oakley and Chapin.

The florist shop is participating in the February 17 and 18 Chesaning Business Expo, with plans offer additional specials at the event.

Riverside Flowers and Greenhouses, located at 702 S. Main Street (M-57) in Chesaning, is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for their winter hours. For the spring season, they will be open until 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

Kiwanis Club sponsors used book drive

CHESANING -- The Chesaning Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a Used Book Drive for children's Literature books as part of the National Kiwanis Project to Get Kids Reading. The club is collecting used books appropriate for pre-school to fourth grade children during the month of February at various locations around town.

Books can be dropped off at Charter One Bank, Citizens Community State Bank, National City Bank, United Financial Credit Union, Roy's Barber Shop, and Bueche's Furniture Store all in Chesaning. Trinity United Methodist Church in Chesaning along with other area churches are helping to collect books as well.

The books that will be collected by the club will be sorted and divided between the area elementary schools during Reading is Fun Month, in March, for students to have and keep.

"This is great way for people to get rid of those old books that their kids have out grown and no longer read," says project director Jeff Murdoch. "Kids who don't have many books at home can select books and keep them for their personal reading. I went down in my basement and found three boxes of books that were part of my son's collection when he was growing up. They have sat there for about 12-15 years. It will be nice to know that other kids will find the pleasure he did in reading them."

The Book Drive will last until March 1 when the books will be sorted by club members and divided up to go to our area elementary schools for distribution. People can drop any books they would like to donate at any of the above mentioned places or they can call 845-6644 and arrangements can be made for a club member to go out and pick the books.

The more people that get involved in donating to this project, the more kids the Chesaning Kiwanis Club will be able to give the gift and joy of reading to.

Shiawassee County Walk for Warmth February 23 No child or senior should have to go to a home without heat.

And to help in that mission, Capital Area Community Services (CACS), will hold its annual Walk for Warmth event on Saturday, February 23.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the walk scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at the Owosso Community Center (SCOA), 300 N. Washington Street, Owosso.

"Heating costs have continued to rise and we have seen requests for assistance rise drastically," noted a CACS spokesperson.

"Many senior and disabled folks are on a fixed income and despite working two jobs, many of the families and individuals we work with are unable to stretch their income far enough to meet the basic living needs of shelter, heat, utilities, and food. It's hard to tell someone there are no funds available, all or our resources are gone."

Walk for Warmth provides assistance to those who need it the most. It is a community effort to assist low-income individuals and families with basic necessities to survive.

Anyone willing to help his or her neighbors in Shiawassee County by participating in the walk can stop by the CACS office at 1845 Corunna Avenue in Owosso to pick up a pledge sheet.

Donations can also be made by sending a check to CACS at that address.

Contributions will help those who may otherwise not receive assistance.

ALL funds raised in Shiawassee County go directly to assist low-income families and individuals who live in the county. There are no administrative fees. Donations are tax deductible.