Owego resident Joseph Ragsdale, pictured with his wife, Trish, was a winner of H&R Block’s 2016 sweepstakes. To promote its services, H&R Block, a well-known consumer tax preparation company, announced it would give away $1,000 to 1,000 customers daily for 32 consecutive days from Jan. 4 to Feb. 15. H&R Block is located at 42 W. Main St. in Owego, N.Y. (Photo by JoAnn R. Walter)
H&R Block, a consumer tax preparation company for more than six decades, started the 2016 refund season with an impressive opportunity for their customers. To promote its services, the Kansas City, Mo.-based company communicated that it would give away $1,000 to 1,000 customers daily for 32 consecutive days. The price tag for H&R Block is a mere $32 million.
With nearly 12,000 locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, other U.S. territories and U.S. military bases worldwide, the sweepstakes is the first large-scale promotion of its type for the 61 year old company who has prepared 650 million tax returns since 1955.
Each taxpayer who paid to have a federal tax return processed was given an opportunity to win. The entry period ran from Jan. 4 to Feb. 15, with the final daily drawing scheduled on Feb. 19.
H&R Block office manager at the 42 West Main St., Owego, N.Y. location, Jeannie Beaver, explained, “Within the Southern Tier and Syracuse districts, 38 winners were announced.”
One of those winners was Owego resident, Joseph Ragsdale. Ragsdale and his wife, Trish, have been customers of H&R Block for 25 years and for all of those years have been assisted by Joann Bradley, a tax professional with the company for 40 years.
Ragsdale shared, “H&R Block is like family to us.”
Pleased and also surprised to be a winner, Ragsdale explained that their tax return was completed just three weeks ago. He also had to complete an on-line survey as part of the eligibility requirements.
Trish grew up in Candor, while Joseph, a native of Richmond, Maine, moved to Tioga County 28 years ago. A breast cancer survivor, Trish is relieved that the most difficult time period has passed and shared a positive outlook for the future.
Parents of four children, when asked what they plan to do with the money, their final decision is not firm, however the money will help towards costs associated with one child graduating from college and another from high school, with perhaps a little left over for themselves.
For information about H&R Block, call the Owego office at (607) 687-4677, or search for other locations at hrblock.com.
