Elaine Bohling Named Iowan of the Day

DES MOINES, IA (07/29/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Elaine Bohling of Greenfield as an Iowan of the Day for the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

To those who nominated her, Elaine Bohling is known as an advocate for youth and willing volunteer. Though she spends her weekdays commuting to Des Moines for work, she still finds time to support a number of organizations. She volunteers with Living History Farms, Iowa Machine Shed Thanksgiving Dinner, Legion Auxiliary, Des Moines Playhouse, Friends of the Library, 4-H and many more organizations.

One of Bohling's favorite volunteering opportunities is the Iowa State Fair, which she has helped with for nearly 15 years. She can be seen working around the grounds every day of the Fair with the Iowa 4-H Foundation, Iowa Egg Council, Iowa Tourism or Keep Iowa Beautiful.

"It is truly amazing how the efforts of one person can make a difference in not only a community, but a state," said her daughter, Natalie Bohling. "She loves people, works hard and always tries to lift the spirits of those around her."

Bohling believes that young people can make a difference and works to help them become leaders. She worked with a group of young people in Fontanelle to repair and improve the community's 'slab'. The group wrote, submitted and received three grants for the project, as well as presented their ideas to Fontanelle City Council. Together, Bohling and the group were able to give the community a better meeting place and recreation area.

Bohling's day of recognition will be Thursday, August 20 at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. She will be recognized with a ceremony on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at 2:15 p.m. Along with accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, she will receive a cash prize, Grandstand tickets and use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart.

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 Iowan's across the state who have made a difference in others' lives, while upholding the characteristics associated with Iowa-dependability, integrity, hard work and sense of community.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated more than $110 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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Posted Wednesday July 29, 2015 at 10:23 am by Blue Ribbon Foundation