Boone High School Students Prepared Free Basic Tax Returns for McCoy Federal Credit Union Members Ahead of Tax Day.
ORLANDO, FL – On April 2, 2026, the McCoy Cares Foundation hosted students from Boone High School’s Finance Magnet Program, in partnership with Heart of Florida United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program (VITA), at McCoy Federal Credit Union’s Michigan Branch. Under the supervision of instructor William Daniel, the students prepared free basic tax returns for the credit union’s members. Twenty-six members registered to participate in advance.
In the weeks leading up to tax season, each student completed IRS training through the VITA program. This program is designed to assist individuals with low to moderate income access tax preparation services at no cost. Daniel is the sponsor of Boone High School’s VITA site, which has been serving the community for 22 years. This special event for McCoy Federal Credit Union members is the first time Boone’s VITA site has partnered with a local organization to bring tax services to a location outside of the school.
McCoy Federal Credit Union has been a proud sponsor of Boone High School’s athletic program since 2017 and has been providing internship opportunities to Finance Magnet students for more than 10 years. Through McCoy’s internship program, students have had the opportunity to gain real-world experience in a variety of departments, including Accounting, Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology, Marketing, and Risk Management. The tax preparation event is an exciting expansion of this existing partnership.
“The credit union’s partnership with Boone High School’s Finance Magnet Program has introduced us to many talented students through the years. Having an opportunity to participate with them in this classroom exercise – and benefit our members at the same time – is incredibly rewarding. Tax preparation is a skill that they will take with them as they build their careers in adulthood,” said Alvin Cowans, President/CEO of McCoy Federal Credit Union and President of the McCoy Cares Foundation.
“Heart of Florida United Way is proud to partner with the McCoy Cares Foundation and Boone High School to ensure more individuals and families have access to quality tax preparation services that maximize their return,” said Mikaela Mendoza-Cardenal, Heart of Florida United Way Director of Community Impact. “Tax season can be a stressful time. This program helps remove the added cost of paying to have your taxes reliably filed, which puts more money back in their pockets and into the community.”
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About McCoy Cares Foundation
The McCoy Cares Foundation was established in 2023 as an extension of McCoy Federal Credit Union’s community outreach initiatives. With a focus on four core pillars – Education, Healthcare, Community, and Access – the organization works to fulfill the credit union’s mission of giving back to the communities they serve.
About Heart of Florida United Way
Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW) stands for the education, financial stability, health and basic needs of every person in Central Florida. Since 1939, HFUW has delivered programs, invested dollars, and convened community members around important issues impacting Orange, Seminole and Osceola counties. In 2024-25, HFUW served 1 in 4 people in Central Florida through its direct service and funded programs. HFUW is home to notable community resources like the 211 Information & Referral Line; 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline; Mission United program for Veterans; Digital Horizons, an initiative bridging the digital divide; Destination Graduation at Seminole State College; the Planning Council Support program that facilitates community planning and priority setting for HIV services. United Way partners with individuals, local businesses, government, and other nonprofit agencies to open opportunities and close gaps in Central Florida. Visit www.HFUW.org for more information or call (407) 835-0900. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn at Heart of Florida United Way and on Twitter and Instagram @hfuw.
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