Latest news with #PayIt4ward
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pay It 4Ward: A faithful Norman tax preparer works for free
NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — Tax season is here. It's a busy time for filers and preparers, and often overwhelming for taxpayers! News 4 and First Fidelity Bank are honoring a faithful tax preparer who works for free. He's a volunteer with the AARP Tax Preparation Team, who has been serving the Norman area for 25 years. In the heart of Norman, on the second floor of Wellness Square, you'll find Fred Martin every Monday night diligently working on tax preparation for strangers. 'I've walked some of the same path': Counselor guides Bethany man to the road of success 'He's doing a very necessary job. People don't want to do their taxes, or they can't do their taxes. He's there to get these people through that,' said fellow AARP Tax Aide John Fagen. 'If you could see the people and how they appreciate it. Some of them come in scared to death. They think the government is coming to get them.' Fagen nominated his friend, Fred Martin, for a Pay It 4ward Award. Martin recruited and organized this small army of tax preparers who serve anyone who walks in the door. 'He sucked me in about eight years ago, and I've been doing this ever since,' Fagen said. Martin has carefully prepared tens of thousands of returns over the years. The service is always free. 'I've tried to do it myself before, and it just didn't work out,' said Norman taxpayer, Paul Darata. 'I feel more comfortable if they're doing it.' First Fidelity Bank's Matt Robinson presented Fagen with $400 for Fred Martin. 'We thank you so much for nominating Fred for Pay It 4ward. He does great work with the AARP Tax Aide Program right here in the middle of tax season,' Robinson said. 'I can't think of a better time to present $400 on behalf of First Fidelity Bank to pay it forward.' John Fagen and tax aide Judy Ridgeway presented their friend with $400 in cash. At 84 years old, Martin is still having a good time doing taxes. 'It's a good service and people appreciate it, and I'm able to do it,' said Martin. 'Thank you all. It's a fun thing to do. I encourage other volunteers out there to step up.' Fred Martin and the AARP Tax Aide team help with tax returns every Monday night at 'The Well' in Norman from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. They also volunteer at the '12th Street Rec Center' in Norman on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Her heart is just so big': Compassionate Guthrie woman dedicated to her community
GUTHRIE, Okla. (KFOR) — If you wander around the quaint downtown streets of Guthrie, you will most likely come across tiny shops on a corner. 'Salt of the earth. She is always thinking of others,' Chelsea Richardson said. 'She has a little shop down at our little shops here in Guthrie.' However, Nikki Kesler is known for much more than the sweet treats she sells inside her tiny business. 'Out in the front of it she has a little closet for the homeless with coats and mittens, and scarves to keep them warm,' Richardson said. 'If she runs out of coats, she goes and from her own pocket buys coats for people.' Shawnee Senior Care worker is a beacon for community spirit Inside, she offers homemade chocolates and trinkets and gives away free books to anyone who wants one. She works to not only clothe but to feed the community, as well. 'She also donates every Saturday to lunch on Noble to help people in need. That is free meals on Saturdays that the community gives,' Richardson said. 'She is always thinking of others.' Kesler's generosity is well-known around town. 'She does a lot of stuff just out of her heart with the coats, and she volunteers,' John Pagonis said. 'Anybody who needs help, she's there. We just love her to death.' 'Her heart is just so big. She's just such an element of this community,' Heidi Mallow said. 'I'm so excited that she got this. She's so deserving.' Deserving of Pay It 4Ward. Richardson nominated her. 'We love recognizing people making a difference, and Nikki represents exactly what pay it forward is all about,' said Sanjuana Valdez, of First Fidelity Bank. 'On behalf of First Fidelity Bank, thank you for nominating Nikki and recognizing the great work they have done. It is our pleasure to give you $400 so you can pay it forward.' While word has spread quickly, it has not reached Kesler—yet. 'She thinks that my husband is picking up an order from her for me,' said Richardson. Until now. 'You must be Nikki,' said News 4's Joleen Chaney. 'I'm Nikki,' she replied. 'Nikki, I'm Joleen with News 4. We have a program called Pay It 4ward, and Chelsea nominated you, and she's got something for you,' said Joleen. 'Four hundred dollars,' said Richardson, as she handed Nikki the award money. 'Thank you. Thank you so much,' replied Kesler. 'You're welcome. You deserve it,' said Richardson. Kesler serves a great need, no matter the population, with the most genuine compassion. 'Just seeing the items that come in and go out, we've had a lot of the community being helped, and it's really awesome to see,' she said. 'Because it feels good. It feels so good to see people just happy, and our community needs it.' Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘She is a legend': Disability advocate honored for a lifetime of work
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — News 4 and First Fidelity Bank are celebrating a woman who has been working behind-the-scenes for decades. She is an Oklahoman and an advocate for disability rights. Her work has changed the lives of generations of Oklahomans. Nancy Ward continues to work on behalf of Oklahomans with disabilities, even after retiring from her full-time career as a voting rights advocate at Disability Law Center. She regularly volunteers for training workshops on self-advocacy for the Developmental Disabilities Council. 'This is what I love to do. This is what I'm supposed to do': An Angel came to the call for her community 'It's just the opportunity of a lifetime to get to work with her and call her my friend. She teaches me to remember everyone when we're having conversations,' said Developmental Disabilities Council of Oklahoma's Jennifer Randle. 'She's incredibly kind and generous and she cares about everyone, to make sure that everyone is included. Making sure that people feel included and that the people who support individuals with disabilities understand the importance of making sure that they're included and their voices heard,' said Oklahoma Disability Law Center Attorney, Joy Turner. Ward retired a few months ago, capping off a 40-year career that included the passage of a state law requiring intellectual disability to be included in state protections, another requiring respectful language in state law and helping close institutions so the intellectually disabled can live in a community of their choice. Her colleagues describe Ward as a legend. 'She really is,' said Disability Law Center Director, RoseAnn DuPlan. 'If we go anywhere outside of Oklahoma and say we're from Oklahoma, someone always asks, 'Oh, so you must know Nancy Ward.'' DuPlan nominated Nancy Ward for Pay It 4ward because she's still going strong, advocating for everyone's right to be included in their community, despite being in her seventies. 'She's such a beautiful person, and I'm so excited to be a part of letting her pay it forward and really showing her impact on the community,' said First Fidelity Bank's Michelle Fox, 'Thank you for nominating Nancy. On behalf of First Fidelity Bank, I'd like to give you $400 to pay it forward.' News 4 and First Fidelity Bank surprised Ward during her self-advocacy workshop at DHS headquarters. 'Nancy has been a part of our office for 20 years and my personal friend for 25 years and has spent her life advocating for other people and teaching them how to advocate for themselves,' said DuPlan. 'Nancy, you deserve every bit of this.' Ward was shocked and speechless about the honor, explaining to News 4's Ali Meyer why being a self-advocate is so important to her. 'I have a disability,' Ward said. 'So I don't want anybody to have to take the five years it took me to learn how to advocate for themselves because I didn't have anybody to teach me how to do it. I've been advocating for myself and others for 40 years.' Ward plans to use her $400 to continue to work on a new non-profit she has organized focused on inclusion and dignity for all. It is another facet in her lifelong effort to make sure Oklahomans with disabilities are represented and protected. Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
