News : Vinton Lions Club Year in Review

Lions Club 2024 Officers

Workplace learning

Gates receives Kidsight screening certification

Booster Club

Honor Flight check presentation

Lions Club Officers Pictured:

Left to Right:

Dennis Lauser-Director

Lynn Montgomery-Secretary

Teri Wehage-3rd Vice-President

Tanner Davis-Vice-President

Phil Borleske-Lion Tamer

Charlie Garwood-Tail Twister

Bethany Gates-2nd Vice-President

Scott Barron-Director

Alan Woodhouse-Treasurer

Dan McCann-Director

Larry Andreesen-Director

Matt Johnson-President

The Vinton Lions Club (VLC) was founded in 1921 and is one of the oldest service organizations in Benton County. Lions members dedicate their time and talents to fundraising activities that allow the club to provide monetary support to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, our local Boy Scout Troop, scholarships within the Vinton-Shellsburg school district, Benton County CISM Team, the Boosters, Vinton Parks Department projects, and other such community-focused interests.

In addition to fundraising to be able to support community programs, the Vinton Lions Club is an active partner with Iowa KidSight. Iowa KidSight is a joint project of the Lions Clubs of Iowa and the Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, dedicated to enhancing the early detection and treatment of vision impairments in young children (target population 6 months of age through kindergarten) in Iowa communities through screening and public education. The Vinton Lions boasts 5 members certified with Iowa KidSight, and those members provide vision screenings at our local preschools, schools, and daycares.

Our primary fundraising activities happen via the operation of our concession trailer at local events like the Farmers Market, Party in the Park, and football games. Additionally, we hold an annual chili dinner at the Vinton Fire Station the same night as Vinton's November holiday parade, with all proceeds from that dinner going directly to Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.

In 2023, we contributed a total of $11,201 to the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight, Boosters, 2 scholarships to local students, local boy scout troop, Aiming for a Cure, Iowa Lions, LCIF, Leaderdogs, and Diabetes Awareness.

The Vinton Lions meet weekly on Wednesdays at noon at Pizza Ranch, and most meetings afford us the opportunity to hear from local organizations and/or community members about community projects, needs, and opportunities.

If you are interested in learning more about the Vinton Lions and how you can serve in the community of Vinton, contact the Vinton Lions Club president Matt Johnson at (319) 472-2930.

Booster Club: Each year the Vinton Lions Club teams up with the Vinton/Shellsburg Booster Club to provide concession food at the VSHS varsity football games. All proceeds from the Vinton Lions Club concession trailer at the games go directly to the Booster Club. Despite bad weather and only four games, the Vinton Lions Club presented a check for $2000 to the Booster Club.

Pictured: Matt Johnson, Lions President; Dawn Atkinson, VS Booster Vice President; Dennis Lausar, Lions Director; Barb Winsor, VS Booster President; Dr. Alan Woodhouse, Lions Treasurer; Kristi Elwick, VS Booster Treasurer; Tanner Davis, Lions Vice President

Honor Flight 2023: Pictured: Matt Johnson, Vinton Lions Club President; Connie Arens, Honor Flight Representative; Roger Uthoff, Vinton Lions Club Member; Alan Woodhouse, Vinton Lions Club Treasurer; Tanner Davis, Vinton Lions Club 3rd VicePresident.

Gates Kidsight: The Vinton Lions Club provides vision screenings to students in the local school district. Gates is the newest member of the VLC KidSight screening team. Pictured: Mark Wilberg presents Bethany Gates with her KidSight Screening Certificate.

Workplace Learning: The VLC hosts area groups and organizations at our weekly meetings, to increase awareness about available resources and opportunities in Vinton. Pictured are Kasey Keeling with her program guest, Laura Miner, Kirkwood's Work-Based Learning Coordinator