• Article Photo. Benton County Amvets Post 218 member Doug Wood and Finance Officer Ron Albright take a turn at manning the table at the Interstate 380 rest stop.
    Benton County Amvets Post 218 member Doug Wood and Finance Officer Ron Albright take a turn at manning the table at the Interstate 380 rest stop.
  • Article Photo. Picture-Cookies provided by the residents of Windsor Manor
    Picture-Cookies provided by the residents of Windsor Manor
  • Article Photo. The Rest Stop
    The Rest Stop

The American Legion is a well know Veteran’s service organization with several posts in Benton County and the surrounding area. Not as well known, but also serving the local community is Post 218, of the Benton County Amvets. 

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Post hosting their annual Memorial Day Weekend Fundraiser.  From Friday May 22nd, through Memorial Day, Post 218  served cookies, coffee, and lemonade at the Interstate 380 northbound rest stop, south of Cedar Rapids. Most days, this fundraiser ran from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. while ending around noon on Memorial Day. Post members and their families manned the table.  Interstate 380 travelers could stop and enjoy these refreshments.  A free will donation was suggested. 

The cookies were made and donated by the residents of Windsor Manor of Vinton, with 209 cookies of various varieties provided to the post.  By the end of the last day, nearly every cookie had been consumed. 

The funds raised are donated to several different projects in the community. They are also used for projects that benefit veterans such as transportation to medical appointments.  The Post has a float that will be seen in area parades and at the Iowa State Fair.  Look for them in the local Party in the Park Parade.  The local Amvets members will also be seen staffing a table at the Benton County Fair in June. 

The Commander of Post 218 of the Benton County Amvets is Denny Miller.  Monthly meetings are held the first Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. at the Americal Legion in Vinton.  All Veterans are welcome to become members of Post 218. 

Look for the AMVETS for the Interstate 380 fundraiser which will also be held on Labor Day Weekend!