For the past 11 years, Ed Nowicki has helped hundreds of people do their taxes — for free.

“I wanted to volunteer, and I had the finance background, so you try to use your talents,” Ed said.

Ed was an information systems manager in Montgomery for 10 years, and after retiring and moving to Gulf Shores in 2000, he wanted to get involved and give back to the community.

He began volunteering with the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program in 2002, and soon, the now 77-year-old was asked to become the Orange Beach program's coordinator, a volunteer job that requires commitment every year from December to the end of April.

“I have to find volunteers, do the advertising and set up computers in December, and then we all have to take a class the first week in January and take a test to get certified by the IRS,” Ed said. “It helps keep your mind active.”

And Ed's wife Diane is involved in the program, too. When people come to have their tax returns prepared at the Orange Beach Senior Center, Diane is ready to welcome them and make them feel comfortable. As a former customer service manager, she was a perfect fit for the job.

“He needed somebody, and I didn't want to do the taxes itself, so I thought I'd do the greeting,” Diane said. “The greeting is more or less welcoming them and taking the information, and then I bring them in and introduce them.”

But Ed said Diane does more than just sign people in — she helps people feel relaxed before they begin the hour-long process.

“She also puts them at ease, because a lot of older people are nervous about their taxes,” Ed said of his wife of 53 years. “So she chats with them and jokes with them and puts them at ease to help them relax.”

Tax help is available for low-to-middle income households, especially seniors, but Ed said being a senior is not a requirement for the program.

“It's amazing, people think if you live in Orange Beach that everybody's wealthy,” Ed said. “But there's a lot of people who retired years and years ago with a fixed income. So for these people, if we can save them a few hundred dollars, that means a lot to them.”

Free e-filing and direct deposit is also available through the program.

Gail and Jim Parris of Foley have filed their taxes through the program for the past three years.

“It's been wonderful,” Jim said. “This is the best thing AARP has ever done for seniors. It's a very unselfish commitment these volunteers make.”

The Nowickis and a team of five other volunteers set up shop at the Orange Beach Senior Center every Tuesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during tax season.

Last year, Ed said the team of seven served more than 300 people, most of whom were locals. However, he said the need for the tax service is much greater than 300.

“If we had more volunteers, we could do almost double that amount, so if anybody wants to volunteer for next year, they should call the Orange Beach senior center and ask for me to contact them,” he said.

Volunteers must have an accounting or finance background. Both locals and snowbirds have volunteered in the past, Ed said.

To make an appointment or to sign up to be a volunteer, contact the Orange Beach Senior Center at 251-918-3440. The senior center is located on Canal Road next to the Orange Beach Public Library.