News : Benton County Volunteer Program in search of Volunteer Drivers

The Benton County Volunteer Program has quietly operated in Benton County since 1974. Originally the group was known as RSVP, Retired Seniors Volunteer Program. In 2001 the group reorganized with the help of the Benton County Supervisors. The group assists members in the community that cannot drive but are in need of transportation to get to doctors' appointments. It has operated out of a couple of locations in Vinton in the past and is currently operating out of the Belle Plaine Community Center.

The program has a board and a Program Director, Melissa Croy. The purpose of the group is to bridge gaps wherever they can throughout the county.

The group currently needs about an additional 5 drivers. Croy feels that if 5 more could be found, this would lessen the load on all of the volunteers. She thinks this would bring the trips that each driver would need to make would be about once a month. Volunteers of course are not required to take every assignment if they cannot. It is a very flexible position. Drivers are reimbursed for mileage, so if you do drive and have free time, consider calling Melissa at 319-434-6078 between 9-noon Monday-Thursday to sign up.

All of the clients are Benton County residents 60 years of age and older, and able to enter and exit a vehicle with little or no assistance. The program makes trips to Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and surrounding areas. If clients would like to make a donation, they are welcome to, but it is not required.

The group also has a food program that prepares meals at Thanksgiving and Christmas in the Belle Plaine area. They include a full meal as well as smacks and sandwich items to add a little more to the cupboard of these families. The program feeds about 130 families. Residents 60 and older are welcome to apply for a basket. Children who are 16 and younger have a "Tree of Sharing" which helps the children in the area.

During summertime, the group has a backpack program that includes foods with children in mind. There is a mix of easy to prepare foods that kids can prepare like sandwich makings, macaroni and cheese and other simple foods. The group tries to provide enough food for a couple of weeks.

Belle Plaine has what Croy says, "ladies with busy hands." The group also sews pillows for heart patients who have had surgery and cancer patients. The group makes a specially designed pillow that assists the patients who can't compress their arms across their chest and helps in their recovery. The ladies also help area teachers by making signs for their classrooms or fill folders that are sent home with the children. When they aren't doing this they make crafts for area nursing home residents.

Reaching out to shut-ins during COVID-19 was also something that the group did via a phone bank. The group builds relationships often with those that they assist said Croy.

If you are interested in helping in the Vinton area as a driver please contact Croy at the number listed above or at bcvp_mcroy@yahoo.com

For those in the Belle Plaine area, the group meets at the Belle Plaine Community Center located at 1309 5th Ave. in Belle Plaine.

For more information about the group, visit their website here: https://bentoncountyvolunteers-ia.com/