Dollars for Scholars celebrates 30 years

The Newton Dollars for Scholars chapter is celebrating its 30 anniversary this year and will host its annual December fundraiser. The 2015 Newton Tour of Homes will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 5 throughout Newton.

The local volunteer organization helps Newton High School students to receive scholarships. It offers a scholarship fund for Newton students with the financial help of local businesses and individual donations and also makes a national database of other scholarships available to students at Newton Senior High School for application.

In May, the nonprofit organization gave more than $90,000 in scholarships to more than 100 Newton High School Class of 2015 seniors.

The annual tour is a fundraiser for the Newton Dollars for Scholars program, and on the tour this year are five homes with a wide range of architectural styles and unique features. Tickets are $10 per person and are available at the Newton Chamber of Commerce office, local banks and at each home on the day of the tour.

“The Tour of Homes has been our main fundraiser for many years. Members of the community graciously allow us all to troop through their homes and see what the layout is like, how it is decorated,” Newton Dollars for Scholars President Hilary Montalvo said. “A lot of homeowners love to tell the unique stories of their homes or their belongings, and it can be a very interesting time for that reason alone.”

Blattert Home

The 1940 home of Ginny Blattert, 915 S. Sixth Ave. W., will showcase recent renovations, such as opening up the floor plan and modernizing bathrooms with such features as in-floor heating.

Fudge Home

The 1960 “French farm house” style home of Jon and Kate Fudge, 1100 S. Sixth Ave. W., also has recent renovations to the kitchen and floors but many original features-look for the green marble fireplace surround rescued from the Maytag company’s office building in downtown.

Ventling Home

The 1937 home of Kathy Ventling, 715 W. Ninth St. S., saw many local businesses helping to complete recent renovations to the interior and kitchen, but also contains many window treatments, pillows and other items custom-made by Kathy herself.

Allen Home

The home of Mark and Emily Allen, 3248 N. 18th Ave. W., is located in the Deere Run development northwest of Newton. This expansive 2001 home has been slowly remodeled to fit the needs of the seven members of the Allen family since they purchased it three years ago, and features an open floor plan, a lower level bar and a theater room, and an upstairs loft recreation area for the children, as well as a deck overlooking the countryside and an in-ground pool.

“Mark and I feel it’s important to give back to this wonderful community. Having our home on tour is one way we can do that. It’s a great event and provides many college scholarships to Newton High School students,” Emily Allen said.

Wallace Home

The 1985 home of Gary and Pat Wallace, 897 High Ave. to the north of Newton, was purchased in 2011 and after an eight-month renovation, the Wallaces were pleased to move in and use their new kitchen, remodeled living room and the custom cabinetry throughout the kitchen, laundry rooms and bathrooms. Look for the Mardi Gras themed tree and ask about the Wallace spindle bed in the third bedroom on this tour.

“We really encourage everyone to come out and admire these wonderful homes. Your ticket purchase goes directly to scholarships and you are personally helping students at Newton High School attend college or learn a trade,” Montalvo said. “Dollars for Scholars is celebrating our 30th year and we are proud of our long history of supporting students.”

Newton Dollars for Scholars board consists of trustees L.D. Barton, Illa Guthrie, Mary Loud VZ Kredit, Chantelle Lundberg, Danielle Murphy, Angie Neville, Jody Stiles, Tom Turk, NHS Principal Bill Peters and high school counselor Jourdan Van Wyk as well as current students Allison Winchell and Cole Peters. President is Hilary Montalvo; vice president is Vicki Wade; secretary is Carol Jones; treasurer is Gary Kirchhoff; and Tour of Homes chair and past president is Lee Swenson.

If unable to attend, the public may make a tax-deductible donation to the Newton Dollars for Scholars Chapter by sending a check to the organization at P.O. Box 1492, Newton, Iowa, 50208.