Benton Community Fund

04/16/2026

With heavy hearts, we share the news of the passing of Chuck Wartner.

Chuck was a dedicated and active member of the Benton community, serving in a variety of roles and leaving a lasting impact on so many. His commitment and generosity helped shape the strength of our community in meaningful ways.

We will especially miss his presence on the Benton Community Fund Advisory Board, where his insight and passion made a difference.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Chuck’s family and loved ones during this difficult time. His legacy will continue to live on in the community he cared for so deeply.

04/13/2026

Thursday in BENTON

03/24/2026

Happening NOW!

03/12/2026

Thank you to our generous donors who made this grant possible! People working hand in hand to help our community thrive. 💚

03/04/2026

We are excited for Steffanie -a longtime Benton Community Fund Advisory Board Member! 💚

We have some BIG news, and we’re making it Facebook official!!! 🏗️✨

We are SO excited to share that we’re building a brand new home for our practice…and don’t worry, we will still be right here in Benton, WI!

This community is home. It’s where we’ve built relationships, cared for families, celebrated milestones, and walked through hard seasons together. There’s nowhere else we’d rather grow.

This new space will allow us to serve you even better — more room, more comfort, and more opportunity to continue helping our patients thrive.

Thank you for trusting us, supporting us, and growing with us. This dream is only possible because of YOU.
We can’t wait to welcome you into this next chapter with us. 🫶🏼

We promise….the best is yet to come! Follow along for updates on the build, we’re thrilled to keep you all in the loop.

02/10/2026

The Benton Community Fund is proud to share that a recent grant of more than $6,300 was awarded to the Benton Fire Department. These funds helped purchase critical equipment including improved lighting for fire and emergency scenes, hose fitting updates, and chain saws — all tools that help keep our firefighters and community safe.

Since our inception, the Benton Fire Department has received more than $36,000 in grant support from the Benton Community Fund.

These meaningful investments are only possible because of our generous donors. Your continued support helps strengthen our community and ensures our first responders have the resources they need when it matters most.

Thank you for helping us make a difference. ❤️

02/04/2026

The Hazel Green Area Rescue Squad (HGARS) has been serving Southwest Wisconsin since 1975, providing lifesaving emergency medical care to our friends, families, and neighbors.
Despite their name, their reach likely extends further than you realize, offering 100% coverage to the Village of Benton and Village of Hazel Green, the Townships of New Diggings, Benton, and Hazel Green. In addition to the coverage area in Lafayette County, HGARS has mutual aid agreements with Shullsburg EMS, Dickyville EMS, Southwest Health EMS, Galena EMS, and East Dubuque EMS.

HGARS is committed to our communities: they do NOT charge or bill patients for services. When you call for help, their focus is on care, not cost. However, ambulances, medical equipment, training, and operational expenses are anything but free. Rural EMS providers like HGARS face unique challenges in covering larger response areas, staffing challenges, and higher fixed and increasing costs. Yet, they continue to show up, day and night, whenever they’re needed most. Volunteerism is at an all-time low, but thanks to relationships with groups like the Benton Responders and other local emergency support, HGARS is able to provide the staffing needed.

By supporting this year's BCDC Annual Auction, you are directly supporting the dedicated volunteers and professionals who keep our rural communities safe. Every donation truly makes a difference, and EVERY dollar stays local.

Thank you for helping us support those who are always there for us! 🚑💙

02/04/2026

Groundhog auction Saturday, February 7th at the Banfield Swiss Haus. Happy hour at 5 pm, Live auction at 6 pm.

01/31/2026

Goodbye, January 👋❄️

As we turn the page on the first month of the year, we want to take a moment to reflect with gratitude. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the Benton Community Fund continues to support projects and organizations that make a meaningful difference right here in our community.

Your kindness—whether through a gift large or small—helps strengthen local programs, respond to community needs, and invest in a brighter future for Benton. We are truly grateful for each and every one of you who believes in giving back.

We extend our gratitude to recent donors:
IMO=In Memory Of IHO=In Honor Of
Ken & Sharon Farrey
Jeff White
Tony & Carole Fritz
Becky Perkins-IMO Jerry & Juanita Swift
Jon & Jodi Kluge-IMO Al Kluge
Bob & Jill Knight
Jill Busch-IMO Greg Busch
John & Pam Hillary-IMO Harry & Mary Kay Lawrence
Colin Wing Chiu-IMO Mary Jo Curwen
Donna Perkins-IMO Jerry & Juanita Swift
Jon & Jill Farrey
Karen Griffin-IHO BHS Class of 1966
Jeanne Steffen-IMO George & Virginia French
Steve Rosseter
Gile Cheese

As we welcome the months ahead, we invite you to continue being part of this impact.
💙 Interested in making a gift? Donations can be made by sending a check to Benton Community Fund Processing, PO Box 8125, Janesville, WI 53547 (please note if your gift is in memory or honor of someone). Secure online donations are also available through the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin at cfsw.org.

01/10/2026

It’s felt a bit balmy the past few days here in our neck of the woods, but winter made a brief return this morning with a fresh snowfall—already melting away. ❄️

This beautiful photo, captured by Dave Driscoll a few years ago, reminds us just how special wintertime in Benton can be.

Established in 2011, the Benton Community Fund was created to benefit our community For Good. For Ever. Since then, more than $235,000 has been distributed to support projects that strengthen and improve our small town.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our recent donors who help make a positive impact right here at home. 💙

IMO-In Memory Of
Randy & Julie Neis
Brian & Cyndi Harker
Mark & Kay Alexander
Leslie Hall-IMO Retta Monahan
Adam Maring
Bill & Grenith Cherry
Mike McCrea & Ann Marie Uselmann
Iverson Construction
Bear Insurance Services
Randy & Heidi Hillary-IMO Paul & Joyce Heim
Bob & Jill Knight
Tim & Crystal Robbins
Rita Buchholz-IMO Bill Foltz & Ruth Stoffel
Andrew & Ruth Newman
Bill & Dianna Sides-IMO Tina Sides

Interested in making a gift? Donations may be sent by check to Benton Community Fund Processing, PO Box 8125, Janesville, WI 53547. Please let us know if your gift is in memory or in honor of someone special. Gifts can also be made securely online through the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin at cfsw.org.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year and 👏 Thank You to Our Supporters 👏

We are incredibly thankful for the generous individuals and families who continue to support the Benton Community Fund. Your donations help us provide grants that benefit local organizations and improve quality of life in our community.

It’s because of you that this work is possible—thank you for being part of something special.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to recent donors:
IMO=In Memory Of
Roland Leibold
Jo & Jim Malmgren-IMO Jack & Pauline Alexander
Anonymous
Margaret Wolf
Mark & Sylvia Cruse
Deanna Studier
Tom & Melinda Perkins-Marilyn Hillary Nichols
Kyle & Dixie Luedtke
Charlie & Ruth Halverson
Mary Wright
William & Kathleen U'Ren
Jeff White
Carol Redfearn-IMO Dick Redfearn
Carl & Linda Babler
Marene & Dick Crabtree
Stephanie Daresh-IMO Pete & Marion Probst

Interested in making a charitable gift? Simply send a check to Benton Communtiy Fund Processing, PO Box 8125, Janesville,WI 53547. Be sure to let us know if it's in memory or honor of someone. Donations can also be made securely online via the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin website at cfsw.org.

12/19/2025

This beautiful photo, captured by Dave Driscoll a few years ago, shows our community decked out for the holidays. ✨

Here at the Benton Community Fund, we are especially grateful during this season for the generosity of our donors. Since our inception, the Fund has distributed over $235,000 to benefit our community—for good, forever.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our recent donors:
IMO=In Memory Of IHO=In Honor Of
Ron Troy
Susan Farrey-IMO Dale Farrey's 100th Birthday
Anonymous
Faye & Steve Zibell-IMO Retta Monahan
Gary & Patti McCauley-IMO Jack, Pauline & Mike Alexander
Bob Peart
Sue Borre-IMO Helen E (McCrea) Yates
Jeff & Cindy Thumser
Lori Droessler Real Estate-IMO Greg Busch
Bruce Knox
Jim & Leslie Beau
Kamps Brothers Inc.
Hollis & Joanne Bausman
Christie Curwen-IMO Ceanne Curwen
Pat Spillane
Jean Kunkel-IMO Marty Kunkel
Mike & Amber Perkins
Jeff & Michelle Savatski
Ken & Danette Brink
Chuck & Renee Wartner-IMO McCrea, Kennedy & Wartner families

Interested in making a donation?
📬 Simply send a check to Benton Community Fund Processing, PO Box 8125, Janesville, WI 53547. Please let us know if your gift is in memory or in honor of someone special.
💻 Donations can also be made securely online through the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin at cfsw.org.

Thank you for helping make our community stronger—today and for generations to come.