Organizers of The Columbus Food Truck Festival are supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio by providing a cash donation for the 200 volunteers the RMHC chapter is providing for the event over this coming weekend. Even many staff members from our chapter will be on hand Saturday night to fill the last gap left in the volunteer shifts that needed filled. (Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Wilkins won’t just be helping out alongside volunteers Saturday night. The former recording artist will also be one of the entertainers on stage this weekend singing and playing guitar.) Getting this many volunteers gathered for this event at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard, Ohio is quite an achievement for RMHC of Central Ohio and its volunteer manager Meika Hilles. As one of the largest, and most fun, out-of-House events where recruiting volunteers is vital to the success of the event, Hilles was able to get just enough volunteers right down to the wire before the festival. Volunteer recruitment has been a bit tougher since trying to get back to normal numbers of volunteers after some left our roster following the height of the pandemic. That’s why Hilles is especially appreciative of all those who have committed to helping this weekend.

Click here to read the story in the Columbus Dispatch about this large gathering of food trucks in Franklin County.

Photo Courtesy: Columbus Food Truck Festival

The 2022 Dean’s Charity Steer Show, held at the Ohio State Fair on Tuesday, August 2, raised an astounding $240,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

Media personalities, celebrity exhibitors, and 4-H youth, along with their steers, donated their time to raise money and compete for bragging rights in front of a large crowd of supporters in the Cooper Arena.

The show was hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) and Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. The president of Ohio State, Kristina M. Johnson, was also in attendance. Clark Donley, news director at Columbus Radio Group, served as emcee of the event.

The final dollar amount raised won’t be available until after all donation pages close on August 31, so if you missed the show, there’s still plenty of time to donate to the worthy cause at give.osu.edu/deanscharitysteershow.

“The Dean’s Charity Steer Show was such a special day for our community in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio,” said Dee Anders, CEO and executive director of the Columbus house. “We are humbled by the outpouring of support from all of the celebrities, media, sponsors, donors and attendees.”

Families and 4-H youth who participated in the 2022 show represented the counties of Clark, Fairfield, Gallia, Geauga, Highland, Muskingum, Stark, Tuscarawas, Warren, and Wayne.

Media personalities included Joe Boxer, host, WCOL radio; Angela An, news anchor, WBNS-10 TV; Matt Barnes, morning co-anchor, NBC-4 TV; Cameron Fontana, entertainment reporter and host, ABC 6/FOX 28/CW, Good Day Columbus; Kayla Hanley, morning radio personality, 92.3 WCOL radio; Tim Irr, news anchor, WSAZ-TV News Channel 3, Huntington, West Virginia; Ty Higgins, senior director of communications, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and Dale Minyo, farm broadcaster, Ohio Ag Net.

Celebrity exhibitors included Troy Balderson, public servant; Matt Harper, McDonald’s owner/operator; Tom Feeney, executive chairman, Belron North America; Clark Kellogg, former Ohio State and NBA player and CBS Sports college basketball analyst; Bob Kendrick, anchor, ABC-6 News; Rick Ricart, Ricart Automotive; Jane Scott, executive director, Columbus Metropolitan Club; Ryan Smith, president, University of Rio Grande; Gene Smith, senior vice president and athletic director, Ohio State; Bill Patterson, president, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and Kirt Walker, chief executive officer, Nationwide.

Show winners were:

1. Best Steer: Team Nationwide – The Dynamic Trio (Dale Minyo, Kirt Walker, and Madisyn Brandt of Tuscarawas County)
2. Showmanship Award: Team Bill and Ty’s Excellent Adventure (Ty Higgins, Bill Patterson, and Rachel O’Reilly of Geauga County)
3. Best Dressed: Team Jumanji’s Speed-steers – Wheelin’, Dealin’, and Steerin’ (Cameron Fontana, Rick Ricart, and Karissa Treadway of Warren County)
4. People’s Choice: Team Milk Face Majesty (Angela An, Tom Feeney, and Owen Bailey of Wayne County)

Following the show, there was a “sale” following the same procedures as a typical livestock sale, but without the actual transfer of livestock. Instead, all bids and sale proceeds were donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio (RMHC).

“My deepest appreciation to everyone who made the 2022 Dean’s Charity Steer Show a success,” said Kress. “From great partners to outstanding youth, all the donors, those who honored us by watching, and all the helpers. I am overwhelmed by your support, enthusiasm, and friendship. Special thanks to Elizabeth Harsh, Bill Tom, Leslie Bumgarner, Virgil Strickler, Aaron Arnett, Dee Anders, Ryan Wilkins, Darby Jay Walton…and all the other volunteers. The success of this day would not have been possible without Lori Bowman, and Lora Vest, as well as Keith DiDonato, Cody Snyder, and Rob Frost.”

The Dean’s Charity Steer Show is coordinated by CFAES, the Telhio Credit Union, and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, and is held in partnership with the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair. At the inaugural show in 2019, approximately $152,000 was raised for RMHC.

Located across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Ronald McDonald House provides not only lodging, but also meals, a place to rest, laundry facilities, an exercise room, informal gathering areas, and activities for siblings of hospitalized children. Each year, more than 82,000 nights of rest are provided to families of seriously ill children.

He’s the leader of the band. The NACHO Street Band, that is, which is currently fundraising for Ronald McDonald House Charities for Central Ohio so more families can be accommodated. The publication Voyage Ohio recently published an interview with Steven Poast about the band. Check out Steven Poast’s Story here.

Just a few weeks ago, NBC4’s anchor Matt Barnes stopped by the House to interview Poast and frequent audience-involvement performer Peter Quint. That report can be watched by clicking the image below.

It will have been twenty years ago this September, that the Ronald McDonald House became the Rupp family’s home away from home when their daughter, Morgan, was born weighing only 1 pound, 9 ounces. Today, Morgan’s mom Melissa happens to work for an Extension Office of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. So when Melissa learned of the OSU CFAES Dean’s Charity Steer Show, she couldn’t wait for her family to get involved. Click the image to hear Melissa talk about this exciting fundraising event coming to the Ohio State Fair on Tuesday benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

The 2022 Dean’s Charity Steer Show will be at The Ohio State Fair on August 2. Ohio Farm Bureau president Bill Patterson and senior director of communications Ty Higgins are among the teams of ag community leaders, business leaders, and area broadcasting celebrities learning from experienced, young 4-H exhibitors to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. Ty Higgins, senior director of media relations for the Ohio Farm Bureau interviewed Cathann Kress vice president for agricultural administration and dean of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences about this fundraiser that is back after the inaugural show in 2019. Kress says she was pleasantly surprised when the group at RMHC liked her unorthodox idea.

To learn more about the steer show and contribute to the fundraiser through one of the teams, click here.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature has put the RMHC Joe Mortellaro Golf Classic in a water hazard. We sincerely apologize that rain has caused the three golf courses to close. Due to circumstances out of our control, we won’t be able to play golf tomorrow. We really wish this wasn’t the case!

But, don’t fret! We will still get together for dinner at 3:00 pm in person with a chance to hear from Coach Chris Holtmann, and connect with your fellow RMHC supporters. In addition to dinner, each golfer will be provided with a voucher to play golf at a later date on the course where you were scheduled to play. In addition, we will have giveaways and the chance to pick up the items that you would have received on the course, including your special Titelist gift.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please email Maranda.Staub@R​MHC-CentralOhio.org

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• WE ARE SO SORRY, BUT DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, WE WON’T BE ABLE TO PLAY GOLF AS PLANNED
• DINNER, PRESENTED BY GRANGE, AND SPECIAL REMARKS WILL STILL TAKE PLACE AT 3:00 PM AT WEDGEWOOD GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB
• LOCATION: 9600 Wedgewood Blvd, Powell, OH 43065
• DRINKS WILL BE SERVED AT 3:00 PM
• DINNER WILL BE SERVED AT 3:30 PM
• REMARKS WILL BEGIN AT 3:45 PM
• GOLFER GIFTS, TITLEIST GIFTS, AND OTHER SPECIAL GIVEAWAYS WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE DINNER PROGRAM
• REMARKS WILL BE GIVEN BY COACH CHRIS HOLTMANN AND OTHERS
• ALL AUCTION ITEMS WILL BE ONLINE, INCLUDING THE EXTREMELY VALUABLE PLANNED LIVE AUCTION ITEMS
• AUCTION OPEN UNTIL NOON ON TUESDAY, JULY 19
• ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT RMHC OF CENTRAL OHIO

BID ON OUR ONLINE AUCTION

The auction for the RMHC Joe Mortellaro Golf Classic, presented by Encova, is full of memorable experiences, priceless opportunities, and one of a kind items. The very special items that we had planned for a live auction will now be part of the online auction open to anyone in the public. To learn more about this exciting auction and place your bids, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/pyy/i/

Auction will close on Tuesday, July 19 at noon

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CENTRAL OHIO. AGAIN, WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

The Ronald McDonald House in Columbus, Ohio is growing for a million reasons. Click the image below to watch the video that aired on NBC4 this week featuring two of our board members, Bruce Burkholder and Tammy Roberts Myers, speaking with Shawn Ireland on the Live Happy, Live Well program. To learn more about our campaign, visit www.RMHC-CentralOhio.org/amillionreasons .

COLUMBUS—The Dean’s Charity Steer Show, an event that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio, returns to the Ohio State Fair in 2022 after a two-year COVID-inspired hiatus. Hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), it will be held from 2–4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2, in the Cooper Arena at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair.

“This exciting event brings together our community to celebrate agriculture and children, both for our 4-H youth as well as children benefiting from the Ronald McDonald House,” said Cathann A. Kress, Ohio State vice president for agricultural administration and dean of CFAES. “Every dollar we raise means families can stay together only steps away from their hospitalized child during one of the most stressful times of their lives.”

Each year, more than 82,000 nights of rest are provided to families of seriously ill children by the Columbus Ronald McDonald House, the second largest Ronald McDonald House in the world. The facility provides a home away from home for families facing a child’s illness and hospitalization.

Currently, the Columbus Ronald McDonald House is undergoing a major expansion, more than doubling the size of the facility. Once completed, it will boast 202 guest rooms, a new kitchen and dining facility, new staff offices, and a community event room. It will once again be the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world after the expansion.

To raise funds for RMHC, 11 celebrity exhibitors, most of whom have no livestock experience, will not only show a steer during the Dean’s Charity Steer Show, but will also compete to see who can raise the most money. Most exhibitors will team with a local media personality as well as an experienced 4-H livestock family and their steer, and will practice with them before entering the show ring.

Families and 4-H youth, most from central Ohio, will participate and represent the counties of Clark, Fairfield, Gallia, Geauga, Highland, Muskingum, Stark, Tuscarawas, Warren, and Wayne.

Celebrity exhibitors will include Troy Balderson, public servant; Matt Harper, McDonald’s owner/operator; Tom Feeney, executive chairman, Belron North America; Clark Kellogg, former Ohio State and NBA player and CBS Sports college basketball analyst; Bob Kendrick, anchor, ABC-6 News; Rick Ricart, Ricart Automotive; Jane Scott, executive director, Columbus Metropolitan Club; Ryan Smith, president, University of Rio Grande; Gene Smith, senior vice president and athletic director, Ohio State; Bill Patterson, president, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and Kirt Walker, chief executive officer, Nationwide.

Media personalities will include Joe Boxer, host, WCOL radio; Angela An, news anchor, WBNS-10 TV; Matt Barnes, morning co-anchor, NBC-4 TV; Cameron Fontana, entertainment reporter and host, ABC 6/FOX 28/CW, Good Day Columbus; Kayla Hanley, morning radio personality, 92.3 WCOL radio; Tim Irr, news anchor, WSAZ-TV News Channel 3, Huntington, West Virginia; Ty Higgins, senior director of communications, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; and Dale Minyo, farm broadcaster, Ohio Ag Net.

More than 900 spectators attended the inaugural Dean’s Charity Steer Show in 2019, and nearly 8,000 tuned in to watch via livestream on Facebook. Donation amounts ranged from 81 cents to $15,000, with a total of $152,000 raised for RMHC.

Located across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the Columbus Ronald McDonald House provides not only lodging, but also meals, a place to rest, laundry facilities, an exercise room, informal gathering areas, and activities for siblings of hospitalized children.

The Dean’s Charity Steer Show is coordinated by CFAES, the Telhio Credit Union, and the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, and it is held in partnership with the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair.

To learn more and to donate to your favorite celebrity exhibitor or media personality, visit give.osu.edu/deanscharitysteershow.

By Nitisha Bridgeforth, Intern

Originally, I didn’t take notice of this building. But, every time I passed it I couldn’t help but glance over at the brightly colored Ronald statue that sat in front of the building. Although I used to think Ronald was creepy, now that I understand his significance, I now see it as a symbol of kindness.

Upon entering, my first word was “Wow’. The place was larger than I thought, neat, well-organized, and spacious. There was also a very cozy vibe, so I couldn’t help but calm down my nervousness. When I asked for help, the staff was extremely friendly and assisted me in getting to where I needed to go. Families could be seen coming in and out of the building as well as volunteers. I was honestly surprised to see a lot of people coming in and out of the building.

Following our meeting with our mentors, they gave me and my fellow intern, Nate, a tour of the house. I was happy to learn that the majority of the items on display were donations. To realize that the entirety of this build was funded by donations was an eye-opening experience for me. It touched my heart to see people who were so open about their feelings. It was beautiful to witness people who genuinely cared about someone else other than themselves. And just seeing that the smallest jobs in this place make a huge difference is incredible.

What I’m trying to express is that I obviously fell in love with this building and establishment after viewing it from within the physical structure familiar with most in the city. I adore the community and the way it functions. It’s incredible to watch family members walking around, truly cheerful and hopeful. I’m overjoyed to be a part of the Ronald McDonald House team this summer!

By Lindy Brobeck, Development Dept. Intern

Hi! My name in Lindy Brobeck and I am an intern in the development department at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio this summer. I am a current student at Marietta College in southeastern Ohio. I am getting a degree in educational studies, focusing specifically in nonprofit development. I also am a member of the women’s lacrosse team and have played for the last 13 years. I have been involved with the house for around 7 years in all different ways and could not be more excited to see what this summer’s opportunities bring!

Throughout the last 7 years I had the opportunity to see and do many things for and with the house. I had the chance to start and host 2 dance marathons at my high school raising around $13,000 for the house and was able to connect with a great family who has used the houses services. I also got to take some of my senior pictures in front of guest room#310 in the house, which is dedicated to my grandfather.

The House has given me the chance to realize and purse what I believe to be one of my biggest passions in life, which I like to say is people.
Saying that my passion is people does not always make the most sense with others, so this is what I mean: Whether at lunch with friends or just talking to a stranger at a function, I love people and learning how to help them be the happiest and most prosperous version of themselves I can. Pursing that passion for me means finding somewhere that has people as its main focus. It is safe to say the Ronald McDonald House of Central Ohio and the staff that work here put a very large focus on people and making life better for them.

I cannot wait to see what new and exciting things I will get to be a part of this summer at the house. This internship and the people I am connecting with because of it are amazing, and they too I believe have a very strong passion for people.