Karen Spurgeon Named Iowan of the Day

DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2014)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are pleased to present Karen Spurgeon of Bloomfield as an Iowan of the Day for the 2014 Iowa State Fair.

Under the leadership of Spurgeon, Bloomfield County has improved tremendously. For 15 years, Spurgeon was the president of the Davis County Fine Arts Council (DCFAC), and while she was president, the town renovated the Iowa Theater in the Bloomfield Historic Square. Because of her strength as a DCFAC leader, Spurgeon was asked to be a founding member of Bloomfield Main Street.

"Karen is a tireless advocate for Bloomfield and Davis County. Her many hundreds of hours as a volunteer have improved our community, making it a better place to live, work and raise a family," said a Bloomfield Main Street Representative.

As a member of the Bloomfield Main Street, Spurgeon asked for a grant from a local foundation to update the courthouse square with holiday decorations. After receiving that grant, Spurgeon began working with the Davis County Hospital to establish a new fundraising campaign for lights and decorations at the hospital. In recent years, the Image Committee began the "Bloomfield-Worth Your Time" campaign, and Spurgeon chairs that committee. Spurgeon has dedicated her time to making Bloomfield County the best it can be, and she has been successful.

Spurgeon's day of recognition will be Wednesday, August 13, at the 2014 Iowa State Fair. 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. Spurgeon will also receive a special introduction on August 13, at 2:30 p.m. on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage.

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 over $100 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

###