News : Vinton Activities kick off the Christmas Season

Thursday, November 15th Patriotic Christmas Parade The 8th Annual Veteran’s Patriotic Christmas Parade theme will be “Veterans Thanking Hometown U.S.A.”. The parade will take place on Thursday Evening, November 15 beginning at 6:00 p.m.. If you would like to line up to be in the parade, meet at 5:30 east and south of the Methodist church (6th St. and 2nd Ave.) All that would like to be in the parade are welcome, please don’t bring a Santa, as he is already going to be visiting from the North Pole and please use a Christmas or Patriotic Theme. If you have any questions or would like to be in the parade, please call one of the following: Dave Dods, VFW Post 8884, 319-284-0196 Ron Geiger, VFW Post 8884, 319-310-6476 Ron Albright, Vinton AM, Legion Post 57, 319-929-5675 Dennis Miller, Benton County AmVets 319-573-4891 Tenth Annual Holiday Tree Walk at VGH Stop up at the hospital to look at the trees, and place a bid! Here's a link about the trees! Saturday, November 17th Twice Loved Toy Shop Saturday, there will be the Twice Loved Toy Shop from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at E.C.H.O. Ministries in downtown Vinton, next door to LaGrange Pharmacy.The Moms of Vinton MOPS & MomsNext are hosting the annual Twice-Loved Toy Shop. If you would like to donate gently used toys to help with this event, you can do so by dropping them off on Wednesday, November 14th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. If you cannot drop off at that time, please contact Becky Lutgen at 319-361-7044, Bethany Gates at 319-241-0147, Jennifer Svoboda at 319-929-5990, or Jenni Birker 319-560-4240. ~ No toy or monetary donation required to participate! ~ Please Donate the Following: • Bikes & Trikes • Pre-School Toys • Educational Items • Puzzles & Games • Trucks, Cars, Trains • Movies and Gaming Systems • Action Figures • Legos & K’nex • Kitchen and Other Playsets • Ride-on Toys • Barbie & Thomas • Doll Houses • Dress Up & Pretend • Outdoor Play • Tween-age items (i.e. robes in gently-used condition, or other items appreciated by the upper elementary-age kids) Sorry we are unable to accept: • Sports Equipment • Adult Bikes • Happy Meal Toys • VHS & Cassette Tapes • Real Musical Instruments • Books (unless in like-new condition) • Anything broken or missing parts Donations may be dropped off on Wednesday, November 14th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm. If you cannot drop off at that time, please contact Becky Lutgen at 319-361-7044, Bethany Gates at 319-241-0147, Jennifer Svoboda at 319-929-5990, or Jenni Birker 319-560-4240. Sunday, November 18th Open House, 12:00-4:00 p.m. Kick off the holiday shopping season in downtown Vinton as stores open from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Buy for others or make you own wish list for Santa! 1:00 p.m. Keep your eyes open there will be some activity on the street, so be sure to see what happens! Holiday Light Punch Card Start your 'holiday lights' punch card too! Earn one punch for every $10 spent through December 24, 2018. Earn double punches at the Holiday Open House and Small Business Saturday on November 24th. Santa's Mailbox Santa's Mailbox will be in front of Lagrange Pharmacy from November 18 until December 21. If you drop Santa a note, be sure to include your address so Santa can respond! Sunday Evening, Munoz-Crane Family Community Benefit Jesse Santiago Munoz-Crane was born to Raul and Pastor Jessica Munoz-Crane and his big brother Sebastian. He was born with a rare genetic disease called, Severe Combined Immune Disorder. Treatment for this disease includes chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. The family has been staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City to be near their son. There will be an Italian Supper fundraiser to help the Munoz-Crane Family. The supper begins at 4:00 p.m. and will run through 7:00 p.m., the cost is a freewill donation. There will be a silent auction from 4:00-6:00 p.m. At 6:00 p.m. there will be a live auction. If you would like to donate to the auction or for more information, contact Becky Schneider at 319-430-6463 or email her at bschne@hotmail.com. If you can't attend, but would like to help the family, there is a Munoz-Crane Benefit Fund set up at Farmers Savings Bank.