Barb Westercamp named Iowan of the Day

Related Media

IOTD_Logo.png

DES MOINES, IA (08/08/2022) (readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Barb Westercamp of Cedar Rapids as an Iowan of the Day for the 2022 Iowa State Fair.

Barb's motto is "See the good and be the good", which is evident through her countless hours of volunteer work. With her degree in education, she has felt the need to help youth in her community by working to improve literacy for the disadvantaged. Barb has been the local coordinator and a national advocate for Reading is Fundamental for 15 years and has been a Reading is Fun volunteer coordinator for 10 years. Since 1970, she has annually donated money to purchase new books and school supplies for Cedar Rapids area students. Staff, parents and students are all grateful for Barb and her books.

For years, Barb has been involved with the Iowa Character Counts program, organized the Veterans of Foreign Wars youth essay contest, assisted with scholarships for the American Legion, served as coach for National History Day and has coordinated a Civility Workshop. Her efforts even expand beyond Iowa where she helped establish a library in an orphanage in Kigali, Rwanda. Barb is a firm believer that all youth should have access to books and be able to improve their literacy. She has been a strong advocate for youth within her community and surrounding areas.

Barb's day of recognition will be Saturday, August 13 at the 2022 Iowa State Fair. She will be recognized with a presentation on the Anne & Bill Riley stage at 12:00 PM. Along with accommodations at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown, she will receive a gift bag, Grandstand Concert tickets, use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, a cash prize, Iowa State Fair admission tickets, and VIP parking.

Founded in 1997, the Iowan of the Day program allows the Blue Ribbon Foundation to recognize Iowa's most outstanding individuals. The program continues to honor Iowans across the state who have made a difference in the lives of others, while upholding the characteristics associated with Iowa- dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.

The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated $170 million for renovations and improvements to the historic Iowa State Fairgrounds. For more information, please visit www.BlueRibbonFoundation.org or contact the Blue Ribbon Foundation at 515-262-3111 Ext. 371 or Info@BlueRibbonFoundation.org.