H&R Block Honors Associates Who Go Above and Beyond to Make Every Block Better

Some might only think of H&R Block as a tax company, but we’re really a community company. We have been recognizing associates for their outstanding community service since 1985, and our commitment to building connections among neighbors and supporting small business owners across the country is the basis of our Make Every Block Better community impact platform. At the heart of it all is the people of H&R Block — associates, franchisees, and tax pros, who give back in exceptional ways. Volunteering is core to Make Every Block Better and, as part of Block Horizons, the company’s transformation strategy, we have a goal of investing 1 million volunteer hours by 2025.

The annual Make Every Block Better Volunteer Award honors outstanding volunteers and the impact they’re making in their local communities. In 2022, three winners and three runners-up were recognized for their inspiring volunteer efforts.

“Since joining Block in April, I’ve been completely inspired by how our people go above and beyond in service to community,” said Jill Cress, chief marketing and experience officer at H&R Block. “It’s exciting to recognize these six associates for their exceptional community service.”

In addition to receiving a trophy, each awardee won the opportunity to direct a grant, funded by The H & R Block Foundation, to the approved charity of their choice. This year, Make Every Block Better Volunteer Award honorees will direct $30,000 in grants.

Find out more about how each person is making an impact by volunteering in their local community.

Winners

Michalann Archey, District General Manager | Sacramento, California

Michalann Archey has been with H&R Block for 32 years in various roles. Most of her volunteer efforts during that time have been dedicated to the Roseville Theater Arts Academy, a community theatre for children and adults. She formerly was a volunteer coordinator for performances, and she now has moved on to serve as head costumer for the theatre.

Michalann directed her grant to Roseville Theatre Arts Academy.

“Roseville Theater Arts Academy is a 550-seat theater, and to be able to have children and young adults from ages four to five up to their mid-20s and put them on a stage to show the community what they’re able to do has been the most rewarding experience of my life,” said Michalann. “To be able to donate my Make Every Block Better award to them was the right thing to do and I’m very proud of it.”

Scott Ostrander, Infrastructure Engineer | Kansas City, Missouri

Scott Ostrander, a lifelong volunteer, has organized more than 70 volunteer events for H&R Block in less than two years, including coordinating and managing regular volunteer opportunities for the IT department and making them available to all Block associates. An Adopt-a-Highway project is among the events he has spearheaded. In his off time, Scott also volunteers at ShelterKC and Harvesters.

Scott chose ShelterKC, to receive his grant.

“It makes me happy to win because Henry Bloch always gave back,” said Ostrander. “Henry always did a lot for our community, and H&R Block has been a very good place to work for almost 21 years.”

Susan Thompson, Franchise Office Manager | Nevada, Missouri

Susan Thompson, a Tax Associate who has worked at an H&R Block office for 35 years, regularly volunteers in her spare time. All of her small efforts have amounted to a lot over the years. Susan currently volunteers for a local community betterment organization, serves food at a local homeless shelter, and is actively focused on suicide prevention. She was recently featured on a Joplin, Missouri, TV station for winning this year’s MEBB Volunteer Award.

Susan chose Community Foundation of the Ozarks to receive her grant.

“I was very honored that Block selected me,” said Thompson. “It’s inspiring they recognize the value and efforts of employees volunteering in their communities.”

Runners Up:

Roshelle Fetzer, Director of Ready to Serve and Ready to Lead | Kansas City, Missouri

Roshelle Fetzer’s volunteer journey began after a phone conversation she had with Henry Bloch in 2012. When she shared with Henry how working at H&R Block helped give her kids a better life, he challenged her to pay it forward by helping others. Roshelle volunteered with several organizations before she found her passion project at Inclusion Connections, Inc., an organization that helps children and adult with disabilities.

She directed her grant to Inclusion Connections, Inc.

“I’m super excited and honored that my name and story were selected. I emailed the CEO [of Inclusion Connections, Inc.] immediately and asked what they’d spend the money on,” Fetzer said. “We had a happy moment and we celebrated. Then, since winning, I realized I had to get back on volunteering. I scheduled some time to outline the next phase and ask what we can do. Now we’re on three new projects.”

Rachel Martinez, Pre-Season Manager | Oxnard, California

Rachel Martinez was nominated for the skills-based volunteerism she provides at the Mexican Consulate, where she helps with tax talks and provides guidance to the Mexican community throughout the county. She also volunteers at the Lighthouse for Women and Children and leads toy drives, while maintaining a year-round connection with the shelters so Block can help with other events or activities. Additionally, Rachel organized a canned food drive, collecting more than 700 pounds of food.

Rachel chose Lighthouse for Women and Children to receive Make Every Block Better grant funds.

“It’s exciting to be recognized for something like this,” said Martinez. “I just do it to help the kids, but it’s encouraging to get the recognition and it feels good. Besides the Mexican Consulate, we’re going to expand to help kids in our county hospital soon.”

Carmela McTyre, Multi Unit Team Leader | Ypsilanti, Michigan

Carmela McTyre has volunteered with the nonprofit Black Girls CODE since 2015. The organization teaches young ladies how to code using JavaScript, Python, and C++. In the last few years, she’s served as the site director who oversees the program, and her goal is to bring technology to the forefront so that all women have access and opportunities to learn coding skills at a young age. Soon, Carmela will become camp director for the Michigan Council of Women in Technology, which offers programs for kids K-12 and has university, career, and leadership initiatives.

Carmela chose Black Girls CODE to receive her grant.

“I really had no idea [being able to direct the grant] was going to happen,” said McTyre. “I called Black Girls CODE and they were excited.”