Angus Juniors give to Ronald McDonald House

Each year at the National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), junior members have the opportunity to give back to the community through a charity project. 

This year’s chosen organization, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), provides a home environment and resources to support families who have children in the hospital.

Juniors are asked to donate pop tabs during check-in at the NJAS. The National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) has launched a competition between state associations to see which state can donate the most items for this deserving organization. The state that donates the most pop tabs will win a “cool” treat.

The NJAA has a history of engaging in community service for each of their events as a way to inspire the next generation of agricultural producers and impress on them the importance of giving.

“The National Junior Angus Association is building the next generation of leaders,” Caitlyn Brandt American Angus Association events coordinator said. 

“Part of being a leader is giving back, whether that includes the local Ronald McDonald House in Des Moines, last year’s LEAD project with the Crayon Initiative or partnering with Team DeEtta for the 2017 LEAD service project.”

RMHC provides children and their families the vital care and resources they need while being treated by leading hospitals. 

Families across the globe can gain access to houses, family rooms, mobile care, grants and scholarships through the charity.

“Part of the reason the Ronald McDonald House Charities was chosen is because they have such a large presence in Iowa,” said Mary Greiman, NJAS co-chair. 

“They are also very supportive of the ag community and have been fantastic partners for many youth livestock events in Iowa.”

RMHC is a public charity funded through donations from individuals, business donors, fundraisers and churches. The most common donation is pop tabs.

“The other thing we do to support Ronald McDonald is collect pop tabs and that is what we are encouraging juniors to do at this year’s national junior show,” Greiman said. 

“The charity will utilize the money to make their homes where families with children facing cancer treatment stay seem more like home, and provide a better experience for the families while they’re there. We’re excited to be collecting pop tabs because it’s an easy way for the juniors to support the Ronald McDonald houses. We’re expecting to have a nice, big pile of pop tabs during opening ceremony.”

Juniors, state associations and individuals looking to donate to RMHC should bring their pop tabs to the show office at the NJAS in Des Moines, Iowa. For additional information contact Caitlyn Brandt at cbrandt@angus.org. Additional donations can be made online at www.rmhc.org.