By Nigel Maxwell

4-H Charity steer raises over $27K for Ronald McDonald House

Jun 12, 2024 | 3:45 PM

Prince Albert, SK – Plans for a new 12 room Ronald McDonald House in Prince Albert, SK, have received a massive boost thanks to a 1,200 lb. steer named Charity.

The annual Prince Albert Regional 4-H beef show and sale charity steer auction was held on Monday and raised $27,530.

By way of dutch auction, Wayne and Nadine Steen were the winners of Charity and they donated him back to be resold with Ryan Skragg (Solar Valley Farm) purchasing Charity for $4.20/lb.

The Charity Steer was Raised by Weldon 4-H Beef Club and General Leader Christine MacGillivray explained that when the club was discussing suggestions for this year’s charity, the Ronald McDonald House being built in Prince Albert was definitely the favorite.

“We have had a couple families within our club that have experienced using the House in Saskatoon and the room here in Prince Albert. They expressed how important it was to see this being built for families in our community,” she said.

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Courtney Hansen with “Charity.” (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

MacGillivray noted donations were taken in during the weekend as well as during the sale. JGL livestock generously sponsored the initial value of the steer and Lake Country Co-Op sponsored the steer’s feed. Aaron Hansen, Chair of the Show and Sale Committee, noted 4-H receives no economic benefit from the charity steer, adding thanks to sponsor support, costs are low.

“It doesn’t cost anything other than your time and effort and that’s part of teaching 4H members the way of giving back to something that gives to you,” he said

On April 30, McDonald’s of Prince Albert took part in a land blessing ceremony for the new site, which is expected to take about 20 months to build once construction begins this summer.

This year marked the 94th Year for the Prince Albert Regional 4-H beef show and sale and consisted of four clubs: Weldon 4-H Beef Club, Wild Rose 4-H Beef Club, Canwood 4-H Beef Club and West PA 4-H Beef Club. In total, there were 90 members competing throughout the weekend. Hansen, who is a parent himself to three 4-H members, said the weekend is always emotional.

“It makes me so proud to see them out there in the ring and the amount of work they put into this program and then to see success at the end of it for some of them, it can bring a tear to your eye very fast,” he said.

Grand Champion Steer was raised by Courtney Hansen. (Submitted photo/ Lauren Cromartie)

Tyson Porter with the Reserve Grand Champion Steer. (Submitted photo/ Laura Cromartie)

Each steer sold at the show and sale is raised by a 4-H member and through that relationship and experience, the member gains valuable life skills, learns public speaking and builds the confidence of being able to handle an animal that is over 1,000lbs. By the time the show comes, its not uncommon to see a few young 4-H members give their steer one last hug or kiss on the nose.

“There’s days after where there’s a lot of tears shed,” Hansen acknowledged. “Theres a big connection with a 4-H member and their 4-H calf. No doubt.”

More results:

Grand Champion Steer – Courtney Hansen – purchased for $5.00/lb by Northern Meats in Spiritwood, SK

Reserve Grand Champion Steer – Tyson Porter – purchased for $5.00/lb by Blairs Crop Inputs/Syngenta

Grand Champion Female – Olivia Woytiuk with her yearling heifer, Wild Rose 4-H Beef Club

Reserve Grand Champion Female – Rebecca Porter with her 2 Year old Cow/Calf pair, Weldon 4-H Beef Club Volume Buyer – Glenmor Equipment purchased 7 steers from our show and sale

Northern Livestock Sales donated the clerking of the sale.

(Submitted photo/ Lauren Cromartie)

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell