2025 Community Tax Aid Trivia Night

“This is my fifth year coming,” he says. “They’ve been doing an excellent job with me— I appreciate y’all for that.”

A proud regular at the Minnesota Avenue site, Jonathan first heard about CTA through a friend who also files taxes there. “It’s quick and fast, and the volunteers are always helpful,” he says. “I’ve never had a problem in five years.”

This year, he came in with his W-2 and pension documents to file his 2024 return. His plans for his refund are simple but vital: “Pay my bills,” he says. “When you’re living off a paycheck, you’re living paycheck to paycheck. It’s not a lot.”

Jonathan knows a lot about getting by—and doing it with grace and resilience. He lives on his own and is managing complex health challenges. He’s had not one, but two kidney transplants, and now—nine years into his second one—he’s navigating a new complication: a broken spine.

“I can’t do much right now,” he says. “Standing up or even sleeping causes pain. It’s vicious.” He recently had a steroid injection and is headed back for a second shot—and possibly surgery. “They’re going to talk about an operation,” he explains. “I’ve had pain before, but this is something different.”

Jonathan suspects the break in his spine happened years ago while he was on dialysis. “I was on the machine, sitting in the chair, and I heard it snap,” he remembers. “That was 30 years ago.” He hasn’t needed dialysis since receiving his transplant, and he’s hoping this one lasts as long as possible. “A good one can go for 15 years,” he says. “I’m in year nine.”

Though his days are often marked by physical pain and financial stress, Jonathan keeps going. “My faith really strengthens me,” he says. “When I’m short on bills, and the pain keeps me up at night—I lean on that.”

Jonathan finds comfort in the people around him too. While he lives alone, he has family nearby, and he describes himself as someone others see as “pretty cool.”

His advice for others? “Come prepared,” he says with a smile. “Bring everything with you. It’ll make the process smooth.”

Jonathan may not be able to do much in his free time these days, but he’s not one to complain. He’s focused on healing, managing what he can, and making smart use of the help available to him—like CTA.

Come unwind, connect, and test your tax trivia knowledge—all while supporting Community Tax Aid’s mission to provide free, high-quality tax preparation to our neighbors across the DC area.

Enjoy an evening of friendly competition, fun prizes, and good company as we celebrate the impact of financial empowerment in our community. Bring your friends, form a team, and see if you have what it takes to be crowned the next Tax Trivia Champion!

📅 Wednesday, December 3

🕕 6:00–8:00 PM

📍 Wunder Garten (Marquee Tent), 1101 First St NE, Washington, DC