Iowa Cattle Industry Raises Money For Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa Through The Annual Iowa Governor's Charity Steer Show
Contact: Casey Anderson, Director of Industry Relations, Iowa Beef Industry Council, 515-296-2305
The Iowa State Fair is quickly approaching and the anticipation of the annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show is building. The Iowa beef cattle industry is again partnering with the governor in this fundraising event to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.
Hundreds of fairgoers will attend the August 10 event, featuring youth, industry supporters, local celebrities, and of course, steers. Each steer is exhibited by a local youth representative and a guest celebrity selected by the sponsor of the steer. Twenty-four steers will be shown this year. Along with Gov. Kim Reynolds, we have other notable celebrities showing this year ranging from industry favorites to college athletes (see list of sponsors, exhibitors, and celebrities below). The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC).
“The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show showcases the good that can be done by one industry when producers, industry supporters, and community namesakes collaborate,” said Jenna Smith, ICA member services and Governor’s Charity Steer Show co-chair. “The cattle industry is full of people that care and it is an honor to work with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, who provide a crucial service to families in need.”
The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has been held since 1983 and has raised over $5.1 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa since the show’s inception. Last year the show raised more than $500,000, the third year in a row that the fundraising record has been broken. Funds are raised through online donations, sponsorships, and an auction of steers following the show.
All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and 62 foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa too.
“The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa is a worthwhile charity and great partner,” said Casey Anderson, IBIC director of industry relations and Governor’s Charity Steer Show co-chair. “The houses provide a home away from home for families of seriously ill or hospitalized children. It isn’t hard to imagine the burden lifted, during an already difficult time, knowing you have a place to stay near your child, thanks to Ronald McDonald Houses.”
If you are interested in supporting the Governor’s Charity Steer Show, consider donating online or attending the show/auction to contribute. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is being held in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 10 at 4:30 pm. For additional information about the Governor’s Charity Steer Show or to donate, visit www.iowagovernorscharitysteershow.com.
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About Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA): Iowa Cattlemen’s Association represents nearly 8,000 beef-producing families and associated companies dedicated to the future of Iowa’s beef cattle industry. ICA’s mission is to “Grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership, and education.” www.iacattlemen.org.
About the Iowa Beef Industry Council: The Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program and the $0.50-per-head Iowa State Beef Checkoff. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information, and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand. For more information, visit www.iabeef.org.
2024 Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Participants
- Sponsor: Iowa Beef Industry Council & Iowa Cattlemen’s Association
Celebrity: Gov. Kim Reynolds
Exhibitor: Alexa Fitzgerald | Tipton, IA
Steer: Ritz - Sponsor: Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage
Celebrity: Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg
Exhibitor: Calli Korner | Schleswig, IA
Steer: Smokey Bear - Sponsor: Davis County Beef Promoters
Celebrity: Mercedes Northup, TV Personality
Exhibitor: Layne White | Blakesburg, IA
Steer: Budder - Sponsor: Mahaska County Cattlemen & Friends
Celebrity: Mike Eisele, President, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
Exhibitor: Baylen Brink | Oskaloosa, IA
Steer: Rocco - Sponsor: Iowa Farm Bureau
Celebrity: Brent Johnson, President, Iowa Farm Bureau
Exhibitor: Lilly McClure | Dallas Center, IA
Steer: Buddy - Sponsor: Dee Zee, Inc. (The Quality Truck Accessory People)
Celebrity: Megan Hindman, Clinical Assistant Professor at ISU College of Vet Med and Iowa State Fair Vet
Exhibitor: Blayne Beaty | Russell, IA
Steer: Jimmy - Sponsor: Iowa Bankers Association
Celebrity: Jeff Angelo, iHeart Radio Personality/WHO Radio
Exhibitor: Emma Norman | Searsboro, IA
Steer: Whopper - Sponsor: Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities
Celebrity: Kale & Falisha Nelson, Family utilized the Siouxland House
Exhibitor: Lily Schulenberg | Aurelia, IA
Steer: Ned - Sponsor: Eastern Iowa Ronald McDonald House and Quad Cities McDonald’s
Celebrity: Cole The CornStar from CornStar Farms, YouTube & Social Media Influencer
Exhibitor: Izzie Birker | Garrison, IA
Steer: Sir-Loin - Sponsor: Central Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses and Des Moines Area Independent Owner Operators
Celebrity: David Robers, Owner J&D Restaurants, DBA McDonald’s
Exhibitor: Kaylynn Murty | Tama, IA
Steer: Mulligan - Sponsor: Siouxland Ronald McDonald House and Siouxland Area McDonald’s Operators
Celebrity: Colin Newell, Former Iowa State University Lineman & Current Farm Bureau Representative
Exhibitor: Jacob Ringkob | Moville, IA
Steer: McMister - Sponsor: Friends of Floyd County
Celebrity: Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
Exhibitor: Brennan Ruzicka | Marble Rock, IA
Steer: Peaches - Sponsor: Monroe County Cattlemen & Supporters
Celebrity: Mark McCully, CEO, American Angus Association
Exhibitor: Cheyenne Houk | Blakesburg, IA
Steer: The Business - Sponsor: Iowa County Beef Supporters
Celebrity: Dawn Driscoll, Iowa State Senator
Exhibitor: Georgia Klingner | Williamsburg, IA
Steer: DJ Boots - Sponsor: Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust and Friends of Franklin County Cattlemen
Celebrity: Chip Flory, Host of AgriTalk
Exhibitor: Lucy Wibholm | Dows, IA
Steer: Ronnie - Sponsor: Iowa Junior Hereford Association
Celebrity: Audi Crooks, All Big 12 Center for Iowa State University Women’s Basketball
Exhibitor: Lainey Harre | Gilman, IA
Steer: Hilton Storm - Sponsor: Benton County Cattlemen and Local Supporters
Celebrity: Tim O’Connell, 3X World Champion Bareback Rider
Exhibitor: Reagan Burmeister | Rowley, IA
Steer: French Fry - Sponsor: Iowa Corn Promotion Board
Celebrity: Stan Nelson, Iowa Corn Promotion Board President
Exhibitor: Ryan Brenner | Mapleton, IA
Steer: McEars - Sponsor: Johnson County Cattlemen and Reeve Farms
Celebrity: Levi Paulsen, Former University of Iowa Lineman
Exhibitor: Olivia Allen | Tiffin, IA
Steer: Willy - Sponsor: Jackson County Cattlemen and Friends of Jackson County
Celebrity: Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General
Exhibitor: Addysen Felderman | Bellevue, IA
Steer: Maverick - Sponsor: Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine
Celebrity: Dr. Dan Grooms, Stephen G. Juelsgaard Dean of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State University
Exhibitor: Claire Pellett | Atlantic, IA
Steer: Magic - Sponsor: District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations
Celebrity: David Carr, 2X NCAA Champion Wrestler and Associate Director of the Cardinal & Gold Collective
Exhibitor: Kate Totemeier | Columbus Junction, IA
Steer: ZZ - Sponsor: Iowa Premium, A National Beef Company
Celebrity: Tom Gavin, Father of Brogan Gavin
Exhibitor: Brogan Gavin | Lansing, IA
Steer: Johny - Sponsor: ServiTech, Inc.
Celebrity: Ryan Hassebrook, ServiTech President & CEO
Exhibitor: Addy Schaa | Kamrar, IA
Steer: Cooper
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