(Des Moines) The 43rd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show raised $569,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa during the Iowa State Fair, bringing the event’s lifetime total to more than $6 million since 1983.
Proceeds benefit the three Ronald McDonald Houses in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City, which have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and many foreign countries.
This year’s event featured 25 steers shown by Iowa youth and local celebrities, including U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins — the first sitting secretary to participate.
Award winners included Merritt Moss of Hull (Community Hero), Matt Elbert of Rock Rapids with Dr. Dan Grooms and “Trice” (Grand Champion Showman), Tucker Freimuth of Lytton with Ralph Lents and “Burt Reynolds” (People’s Choice), and Brenna Thie of Mediapolis with Jeff Angelo and “Jimmy” (Judge’s Grand Champion).
A live auction following the show helped push the fundraising total to $569,000, continuing the event’s tradition of uniting Iowa’s agricultural community for a charitable cause.
