H&R Block: A helpful family

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One of the most congenial offices in Wilmington is at the corner of South Street and Locust Street. Employees are immediately friendly not only to visitors, but to each other.

The building has housed a bank, a soda shop, a drugstore, and a bookstore, but now it houses H & R Block.

Ronda Smith, Franchisee and Master Tax Advisor, is in her 34th year of preparing tax returns. She is flanked by four tax professionals and two client care specialists who “can’t wait to help you prepare and file your taxes.” In fact, their website also mentions that the tax professionals “love taxes.”

Ronda’s parents, Sue and Ron Jenkins, owned the office for years. Ronda remembers working in the family business as a young girl; now, Ronda owns the Wilmington office. Her husband, Joel, owns the Blanchester office. Her sister, Renee Hall, and her husband, Bob, own the Washington Court House office. People in this region are fortunate to have this helpful family!

Shirley Mitchell has been with H & R Block since Ronda’s parents owned the business. Evidently, she would not think of working anywhere else: “This group of ladies is amazing. It is a well-oiled machine, and Ronda is one of the guys.”

As she remembers years gone by, she clearly seems to adore the business. She remembers Feb. 4, 15 years ago. Her daughter, Dawn Shumaker, was at Clinton Memorial, in labor, but the baby wasn’t arriving anytime soon. Shirley was working at the office, and someone said, “You mean they won’t let you off in order to go to the hospital?” Shirley replied, “No, no, you don’t understand. I am just going to get a few items done and then go to the hospital.” She made it to the hospital just before her grandchild was born!

That same loyalty is evident in the other professionals in the office. No one has less than 10 years of experience, and everyone commits to working long hours during tax season. With the onslaught of tax work at the beginning of each year, Ronda and Joel don’t have much time for hobbies.

Even though the offices are open all year, they do find time in growing season to do some gardening.

Ronda mentioned that she enjoys her “raised vegetable beds and gardening.” Cooking is also high on her list.

With ambitious open hours, this business is one of the most accommodating offices in Wilmington. They take “walk-ins,” schedule appointments, and perform online help. They also have a drop-off service.

The website allows convenient on-line reservations, and the calendar shows Sunday hours during the busiest weeks of tax season. The website, www.hrblock.com, also lists the tax professionals and their experience. No wonder they can “find every last tax deduction available.”

H & R Block

76 N. South St.

Wilmington, OH 45177

(937) 382-4055

[email protected]

From left are H&R Block’s Tina Brown, Jackie Sewell, Jennifer Seabaugh, Ronda Smith, Shirley Mitchell, Carolyn Wheeler, Lindsey West and Joel Smith.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/02/web1_hr-block.jpgFrom left are H&R Block’s Tina Brown, Jackie Sewell, Jennifer Seabaugh, Ronda Smith, Shirley Mitchell, Carolyn Wheeler, Lindsey West and Joel Smith. Beverly Drapalik photo

By Beverly Drapalik

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