The 43rd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show continues to make an impact, raising $569,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. 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 many foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa.
There were four winners recognized in the show ring on Saturday. The four awards given were the Community Hero Award, Grand Champion Showman, People’s Choice, and Judge’s Grand Champion. The Community Hero Award recognized the youth exhibitor who went above and beyond collecting non-monetary donations and creating awareness for the event. The Grand Champion Showman highlighted the relationship between the exhibitor and the celebrity and emphasized the comfortability of showing the steer. The People’s Choice award was given to the steer that had the loudest supporters in the audience. Finally, the Judge’s Grand Champion, was selected on the best looking steer according to the judge.
Below are the winners for the four prestigious awards:
- Community Hero Award: Merritt Moss, sponsored by the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Siouxland
- Grand Champion Showman: Dr. Dan Grooms and Matt Elbert, sponsored by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine
- People’s Choice: Tucker Freimuth and Ralph Lents, sponsored by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board
- Judge’s Grand Champion: Brenna Thie, sponsored by the Iowa Bankers Association
Following the show, a live auction was conducted to raise funds through the sale of each steer. This show would not have been possible without the support of Governor Kim Reynolds as well as the many sponsors of the show. For a complete list of sponsors, youth exhibitors, steers, celebrities, donor/buyers, and funds raised for each steer, please refer to the next issue of the Iowa Cattleman or on the Governor’s Charity Steer Show website once the magazine is released.
