Find information for help with Trees, Home, Family, Farm – and Volunteering. Together We Can Make a Difference in Our Community! 

[VINTON, IOWA] – The 2020 disasters are still impacting our community in 2021. Many people need assistance, and many others are looking for opportunities to pitch in and make a difference. The Benton County Assistance Fair, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach at the Benton County Fairgrounds, is bringing together organizations and businesses from across the county to provide the information people need.  

Residents can speak one-on-one with service providers sharing information on topics ranging from tree damage to family finances, home repair to farm business operations. Benton County Public Health will be providing free COVID-19 vaccinations.  

“With the help of our partners, we’ll provide the information you need, whether you’re still in recovery mode or are looking for opportunities to make a difference in our community, county, and beyond,” said Greg Walston, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Benton County director.  

“We have a speaker who’ll address the topic of trees and two speakers who are experts on volunteering. They will talk about how to find volunteer opportunities as well as what to do when you need volunteers but aren’t sure how to get a program started,” Walston added. 

The Benton County Assistance Fair is open to all and will include a free meal starting at 4:30 pm, sponsored by Cedar Valley Bank & Trust, Vinton, Iowa, and Keystone Savings Bank, Keystone, Iowa. This is a family-friendly event that includes guest speakers, partner booths, and chances to win door prizes, including a tree giveaway grand prize. The talks will take place in the Beef Arena starting at 5:30 pm with a presentation on Volunteering. At 6:30 pm, the talk will address how to assess tree damage, and whether to save or replace trees. 

Benton County Assistance Fair  

Date: Thursday, September 9 

Time: 4:30 –7:30 p.m. 

Location: Benton County Fairgrounds, 1801 2nd Ave, Vinton, IA 52349  

Speakers 

5:30 pm: Volunteering & Initiating Opportunities in Benton County 

Michael Rojas, disaster programs manager, Volunteer Iowa  

Sarah Eggert, program planner and voluntary agency liaison, Homeland Security & Emergency Management 

6:30 pm: Addressing Damaged Trees  

Mark Pingenot, arborist in Benton County 

Learn about the ways our community can help your family, farm, finances, health, home, and more!  

Please share this opportunity with your audiences. Media are invited to attend this event. If you’d like to speak with meeting organizer Greg Walston, his email is gwalston@iastate.edu

Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach Benton County is a cooperative partnership between ISU, Benton County, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It uses research-based information to address the signature issues of agriculture and natural resources; 4-H youth development; families and healthy living; and community and economic development. The Benton County Extension office has a 9-member elected extension council responsible for supporting ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level. Learn more about the Extension in Benton County at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/benton/ 

About Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 

ISU Extension and Outreach has offices in all of Iowa’s 99 counties. It works to build a strong Iowa by engaging all Iowans in research, education, and extension experiences to address current and emerging real-life challenges. Learn more about the programs and research-based education and resources available at www.extension.iastate.edu.