Business digest

Santa to visit Y at free community party MONROE — There will be another Santa sighting this weekend and this time you’ll find him at the South Orange Family YMCA’s first, free community holiday party on Sunday, Dec. 18 from noon to 2 p.m. The event is open to everyone and is not limited to those with Y memberships. Y officials are planning an afternoon of crafts, holiday music, and a viewing of the movie “The Polar Express.” Kids of all ages can share their gift wishes with Santa. Photos can be taken with Santa for $5 per photo with all proceeds benefitting the Y’s programs and services. To learn more, call 782-9622. It’s crunch time and the merchants in Sugar Loaf want to help Sugar Loaf — Sugar Loaf Art and Craft village has opened up an e-mail address for holiday gift procrastinators. Just e-mail the sex and age of your gift recipient and any other important details to suagrloafnewyork@gmail.com. You will receive gift ideas and a merchant map to expedite your holiday shopping. For more information, visit http://www.sugarloafnewyork.com/fun/2011/12/crunch-time-holidays/. AARP Tax-Aide seeks volunteers for 2011 season Warwick —AARP Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service, is seeking volunteers across Orange County to help New York taxpayers who are seeking assistance preparing and filing their 2011 tax returns. Volunteers do not need to be an AARP member or retiree to participate. Tax-Aide is in need of volunteers for sites in Chester, Cornwall, Highland Falls, Middletown, Newburgh, Town of Wallkill, New Windsor, Port Jervis, Warwick and Washingtonville. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers receive free tax training. They help taxpayers at sites around the county, learning new skills while giving back to countless communities. “Last year we assisted 2000 seniors at 15 sites throughout Orange County between February and April,” said District Coordinator Sheri Conklin. “We could not do it without our volunteers, who make an indelible mark on the communities they help.” For more information on how you can join the AARP Tax-Aide team, visit www.aarp.org/taxaide_volunteer or call toll-free 1-888-687-2277. Training starts Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.