News : Belle Plaine Woman honored at the Iowa State Fair

Marilyn Sokol of Belle Plaine was honored on Thursday as the first Iowan of the Day for the 2024 Iowa State Fair

UPDATED:

Click here to watch video of the event

As part of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation, this year's first Iowan of the Day for 2024 was recognized. A nomination made by Jane Hrabak some three years ago finally caught the attention of the Foundation.

Marilyn Sokol of Belle Plaine was honored on Thursday, August 8, 2024 in Des Moines as one of this year's recipients. As the "Iowan of the Day," Sokol received her award from Bill Riley on the Riley Stage at noon, as well as four tickets and a parking pass to the fair and a golf cart at her disposal all day. She also received $200 and four tickets to the evening concert, and will be staying at the Des Moines Marriott.

She has been part of the Belle Plaine community since 1969, working at the Lincoln Cafe when her parents owned it, she babysat, worked at the local Casey's and most recently has worked with the Benton County Volunteer Program. She's shown a heart to volunteer for nearly two decades. Currently, she can be found volunteering on Monday, Tuesday and coordinates the Wednesday group.

In 2014 she was recognized as the "Outstanding Senior Volunteer" with an award from the Heritage Agency in Benton County. For her help with the Benton County Volunteer Program in 2022 she was honored as a "Star Over 70." At that time she helped to coordinate food baskets for the schools and senior citizen and she's helped to organize more than a dozen volunteers through the program. She's also made gifts for elementary students returning to school in the fall, as well as to help them celebrate the holidays, and to send them off in the summer. She's also been part of a group who sends greeting cards to veterans in nursing homes.

If you've received a heart-shaped pillow as a heart patient at St. Luke's Hospital, Sokol may be the hands behind the gift. The pillows are made for those recovering to clutch when they coughing following surgery. She's also helped to make an impact in the recovery of those who have undergone mastectomies by helping to create underarm pillows to aid in comfort as patients recover.

The varying projects that Sokol has been involved in over the years, include delivering treats to the nursing homes, and making May baskets and mobiles for residents to enjoy. She also helps to create lap blankets for the nursing homes. In the past, she has helped to drive residents to doctor's appointments but now recruits other volunteers to perform this task.

She doesn't forget the children in the community either. She helps to make "Welcome Back" pictures for elementary students in the Belle Plaine Community School District. She and the volunteers have cut out 8,000 cards to award students for good behavior.

At 82, she still volunteers and finds ways to brighten the lives of those around her. Somehow, she still seems to have spare time in which she crochets, reads and enjoys flowers and gardening. (But I bet she dreams of new ideas where she can touch the lives of more people.)

Sokol attended the Iowa State Fair with her daughter, son, grandson and great-grandchildren, of Grinnell, a granddaughter from Kirksville, Missouri and her brother, of Jewell.

Congratulations Marilyn and a special thanks to Jane Hrabak for the work she put in to gain this recognition for a very special lady!

Photo Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation