Hampton's Local Olympian

This week is full speed ahead as the Blue Ribbon Foundation prepares for the Iowa State Fair! Without the Corndog Kickoff or the volunteer reception, it is nice to be able to focus on our Iowans of the Day.

Last year’s Iowan of the Day winner, Dennis Carlson from Hampton, Iowa, is yet another outstanding example of Iowa’s local Olympians.

Dennis organized the “Join Hands Day,” at the Cub Cadet Childhood Center in Hampton. On this day, volunteers gathered to landscape a memorial garden for the center’s late board president, with Dennis donating the trees for the garden.

His deeds have not gone unnoticed by the community, with Dennis receiving awards such as an Honorary FFA Degree from the CAL FFA chapter and Volunteer of the Year in 2012.  

Dennis is also involved in his church’s Vacation Bible School, organizing hay rides and gardening sessions for the kids. He also dresses up each year as Ben Franklin for the 5th grade history class during their section on the American Revolution. Dennis, or Ben Franklin, does science experiments for the students and shares Franklin’s many inventions and quotes.

Dennis is always more than willing to invite students to his tree farm to learn more about forestry and nature. After funding for kids’ programming was cut from the local conservation program, Dennis stepped in to fill the void. Dennis uses puppets to teach children about the animals found in Franklin County and brings furs for them to feel.

Dennis has been described by those in the community as a servant leader. Even though the deadline to submit Iowans of the Day has passed, keep in mind your communities servant leaders for next year’s consideration.

Keep in touch to find out this year’s Iowans of the Day or catch them at the Iowa State Fair August 11-21!

-Audra