Patty & Jim Cownie named Iowans of the Day

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Patty & Jim Cownie, Des Moines

DES MOINES, IA (08/04/2009)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation and Cookies Food Products are honored to name Patty and Jim Cownie as Iowans of the Day at the 2009 Iowa State Fair.

Patty and Jim are exceptional people. They are tireless workers, talented entrepreneurs and care deeply about the Des Moines community. They value family and live those values. The same year, Patty and Jim began an endowment in their friend's name to give tuition assistance for students from single parent families to attend Dowling Catholic High School. The Cownies were instrumental in developing a soccer complex with the city of Des Moines. It is dedicated in memory of Jim's dad and will be the site of the 2006 U.S. Youth Soccer national championships. Patty and Jim Cownie truly love their hometown. They are passionate, inspire others to action and are always willing to help, no matter the size of the project. They share themselves with the community and make Des Moines a better place for all of us to live.

Patty and Jim's day of honor at the Iowa State Fair will be Thursday, August 20. Patty and Jim will receive a night's stay at the Des Moines Downtown Marriott, VIP Parking at the Fair, special use of the Iowan of the Day golf cart, $200 in cash, tickets to the Shinedown and Rev Theory concert at the Grandstand, and subscriptions to Iowan and Iowa Gardening magazines. Patty and Jim will be part of a special presentation on the Anne & Bill Riley Stage at 2:15 p.m. on August 20.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation began the Iowan of the Day award in 1997 to honor those Iowans who've made truly made a difference for those around them. The Foundation reviews over 250 nominations each year, and selects those that show examples of integrity, decency, hard work, and dedication to community improvement.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Since its inception in 1993, the Foundation has generated over $80 million for renovations and improvements to the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

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