Benton County Above the Influence
Jennifer Ritch
(319) 472-2443 • jritch@asac.us • Visit us Online

Purpose: To reduce underage drinking and drug use in Benton County.

Description: We are a county-wide group of parents, law enforcement, educators, civic group representatives, non profit representatives, youth and interested community members who are engaged in efforts to reduce underage drinking and drug use. We do this through social marketing campaigns, policy change, and education for youth and adults. We meet monthly on the third Thursday from 12-1 p.m., location varies.

Old Creamery Nature Trail
Randy Scheel
(319) 477-3150 • rscheel@hightowerservices.com • Visit us Online

Purpose: Promotion and Maintenance of the Old Creamery Nature Trail

Description: We are always looking for volunteers to help with trail upkeep and promoting the great resource that we have here in Benton County. In 2010, we have some exciting plans. Our first goal is to increase awareness of the trail which we hope increases the use of it. We are in the planning stages of a possible bike ride later in the summer as well as t-shirt sells to help raise funds for the upkeep. As of now, 100% of the maintenance of this trail is through donations and volunteers.

Early Arts Study Club
Bev Hilner
4723270

Description: The club was formed in September of 1936 to study various art forms. The group meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 2:00 p.m. The area of study various according to the members in the club who present a program according to the topics of interests. Activities include a Fall Trip, as well as a Guest Day in May.

Vinton Area Dollars for Scholars
Kelly Elliott
• VintonAreaDFS@gmail.com

Purpose: To expand access to higher education by involving and assisting the community to support local students through scholarships.

Description: The Vinton Area Dollars for Scholars is a locally operated and supported, non-profit, tax exempt scholarship foundation operated by an all-volunteer board of directors. The Vinton Area Dollars for Scholars is a chapter affiliate of Scholarhip America. A nationally recognized non-profit student aid service organization. The organization encourages colleges to give matching funds to receiving Dollars for Scholars scholarships.

Boy Scouts of America
Jay Lash
(319) 360-9575 • BoyScouts@VintonBBS.com

Purpose: To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

Description: Since 1933, Troop 47 of Vinton has helped teenage boys learn values and leadership skills by providing a variety of fun and challenging opportunities. The Troop currently has weekly meetings and monthly campouts, plus a week-long summer camp and a week-long "high adventure" trip each summer. Recent high adventure trips have been to locations such as the Colorado Rocky Mts and the Boundary Waters Canoe Access Wilderness.

Parkinson's Support Group
Bethany Clemenson
(319) 472-2060 • manager@windsor-manor.com

Purpose: To offer support, caring, and education on Parkinson's Disease.

Description: The Parkinson's Support Group is excited to announce enhanced programs, scheduled meetings, and more support for people with Parkinson's and their loved ones! The group is meeting at Windsor Manor Assisted Living Community the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:30pm. The meeting takes place in the dining room and new members are welcome. Refreshments provided. Contact Bethany Clemenson at 319-472-2060 for more information.

Alzheimer's Support Group
Sharon Carpenter
(319) 393-4769

Description: The Alzheimer's Support Group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 1pm at Windsor Manor. The support group is led by Sharon Carpenter who has a loved one with this disease. Sharon offers encouragement and education on the disease. For questions please contact Sharon at 319-393-4749. All are welcome.

HACAP North Benton Head Start
Stephanie Estling
4724761 • sestling@hacap.org

Purpose: Helping people develop skills to become successful and build strong communities.

Description: Located at 202 East 4th Street in Vinton, Head Start provides quality preschool and childcare for 3-5 year old children and support services for their families. The program focuses on children from low-income households as well as children with disabilities. Head Start is licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services, accredidated by the National Association of the Education of Young Children, and follows the Head Start Performance Standards. Full and part day slots are available. We are always taking applications.

Benton County Volunteer Program
Bert Reifenstahl
• bcvp-vinton@mebbs.com

Purpose: Benton County Volunteer Program seeks to enhance the quality of life for residents of Benton County.

Description: The Benton County Volunteer Program (BCVP)is an organization that is non-profit which matches volunteers with residents of Benton County that need help. Volunteers supplement the services of local agencies by providing support that enables residents to remain independent. Volunteers that provide medical transportation are trained and certified to provide a safe and comfortable ride. The BCVP promotes the welfare of the county's citizens by recruiting volunteers for community service. BCVP in Vinton is currently working on establishing a cancer support group for residents of Vinton and Benton County

Benton County Empowerment
Heidi Schminke
(319) 472-4543 • Visit us Online

Description: The Benton County Early Childhood Area offers services and referrals to families throughout the county with children ages 0-5. The focus of the organization is to ensure that children enter school happy, healthy and ready to learn. As we will be continually updating our site content and links to other pages, we encourage your feedback so we can include the types of information and links that would be most useful to you. For more information on the Benton County Early Childhood Area or the other service resources available in the county.

VFW POST 8884
Dale Henry
(319) 573-1859 • dejlhenry@mchsi.com

Purpose: To preserve and strengthen comradeship amoung its members,to assist worthy comrades; to perpetuate the memory and history of our dead and to assist their widows and orphans.

Description: We are a COUNTY veterans service organization. The meetings are the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Golf Rite in Vinton. We have no post home at this time. We are an active post with VETS IN THE CLASSROOM, VOICE of DEMOCRACY, and various community based events. Membership dues are $27.00/yr.We encourage veterans to come to a meeting. Eligibility to belong to the VFW is having served overseas in a war zone or conflict where you received combat pay.We are also looking for ladies to join our auxililary.

Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church
Pastor Mark C. Urlaub
(319) 472-3784 • office@bethlehemvinton.org • Visit us Online

Description: The mission of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, a fellowship of Christian believers is: To worship together and to proclaim the word of God's love and saving grace. To receive the forgiveness of sins through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and Holy Communion. To share in the joys and in the sufferings of our fellow members exercising patience and forgiveness. To reach out and intentionally welcome others. To provide an education program to encourage our spiritual growth. To serve the Lord by sharing our gifts of time, talent, and treasure. To do all things in the name of Jesus Christ description: Sunday Worship is at 9:00 AM, with Holy Communion on the first and third Sundays of the month.