On the fourth Friday of each month, the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce hosts the 4th Friday Luncheon.

February’s luncheon was at Central Christian Church in Ironton, with more than 50 members present.

Doug Korstanje, Chamber president, said the luncheons are a way for people to get to know each other, network and make those businesses stronger in the community.

Several members presented information about their businesses to those who attended.

Ed Davis with United Way of the River Cities spoke to the group about VITA, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. The project offers free income tax preparation for people with an income of less than $50,000. There are two locations in Lawrence County, at Ohio University Southern’s Proctorville location and at the Ironton Workforce Development Center.

VITA is funded through a grant and through the United Way.

Rick Martin represented the Robert C. Byrd Institute, and helped familiarize people with what the institute does and how it helps the community.

Martin said the institute is especially good for a new business, who may not have equipment of their own. They can lease the equipment to them and with the lease, even provide free training on how to use the equipment.

In addition, the education the institute provides to students is something that benefits the community.

Each student completes 60 hours of training and upon successful completion and testing, they become National Institute for Metalworking Skills, or NIMS, certified.

Gayle Cox, docent for the Huntington Museum of Art, has been volunteering at the museum since 1975. She spoke about the importance of adults becoming involved with the museum. She said 23,000 children visited the museum in 2010, which was on target with what the museum had hoped, but the museum would have liked to have had more adult visitors.

In an attempt to stir interest in the museum, they are starting Tuesday Tours at 7 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month beginning in April.

These tours are for adults and will include light refreshments. Each month will have a different theme.