Volunteer Reception

Last night the Blue Ribbon Foundation held our volunteer reception at the Oman Family Youth Inn. As the Volunteer Relations Intern it was great seeing all the volunteers I will be working with in the next few weeks, and to get to see the volunteers who were at the Kickoff again! It was incredible seeing all the people who make what the Foundation does possible.

This was one of my first big events since the pandemic shut everything done. It was both nerve-racking and electrifying to give a presentation that wasn’t on zoom to the 250 plus volunteers who were at the event. Overall, we have over 700 volunteers who help at the Fair and I am so excited to meet everyone who wasn’t able to make the reception.

At the reception we gave volunteers their materials they need for their shifts, including the 2021 volunteer T-shirt! We also enjoyed a delicious lasagna dinner made by Campbell’s and heard from Gary Slater (CEO of the Iowa State Fair), Peter Cownie (Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation), Robin Taylor (Assistant Director of the Blue Ribbon Foundation), and Me, Gabby McCoy (Volunteer Relations Intern).

Volunteers who were not able to attend can pick up their materials in our office located in the Earth Home on the Fairgrounds. It is right across from the fun forest and the Mid-American stage. Volunteers can pick up their materials any time between 8 am and 4:30 pm Monday-Friday. The deadline to pick up materials is Tuesday July 27. All materials re  maining after this deadline will be mailed.  

At the event we had a big schedule laid out that showed all of our open shifts and we still are in need of volunteers. Our biggest needs are on weeknights and both weekends of the Fair. If you are interested in volunteering you can sign up at https://www.blueribbonfoundation.org/events/iowa-state-fair/volunteer and view all the available shifts left.

Any questions about volunteering email me at volunteer@blueribbonfoundation.org or call 515-262-3111 Ext. 379.

- Gabby McCoy Volunteer Relations Intern