Richard and Juanita Schillig Name Iowans 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 Richard and Juanita Schillig of Bettendorf as Iowans of the Day for the 2015 Iowa State Fair.

In 1994, the Schilligs started the 5k fundraiser Run with Carl to honor their son's life and love of running. It grew to include a five mile run, a 5k run/walk and a one mile and half mile fun run. In addition to remembering Carl, the event serves as a fundraiser for the Carl D. Schillig memorial fund. The Schilligs use this fund to provide scholarships to Pleasant Valley and Bettendorf High School graduates. The couple has since passed the role of organizing and directing the run, but they continue to award scholarships to local high school students. In the more than 20 years since Run with Carl started, more than 30 individual $4000 awards have been granted.

Their community involvement does not end with the memorial fund or scholarships. Richard Schillig is active with S.U.M.M.I.T. The program aims to help young people make better choices by showing them different types of jobs and employment opportunities. For many, it is their last chance to change before facing more serious consequences.

Juanita Schillig volunteers with their church, providing baked goods at events. In 2010 the couple was awarded the Humanitarian Award from Cornbelt Running Club for their volunteer work with multiple organizations.

"The amount of volunteer hours by these two special individuals is unfathomable," said Craig Schillig, the couple's son and nominator, "They really deserve this award".

The Schilligs's day of recognition will be Saturday, August 15 at the 2015 Iowa State Fair. They will be recognized on the Anne and Bill Riley Stage at 2:30 p.m. Along with accommodations at the Downtown Des Moines Marriott, they 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 10:40 am by Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation