By Ryan Wilkins, RMHC of Central Ohio CMO
In less than a week, the Dean’s Charity Steer Show will be held at the Ohio State Fair to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio. Don’t miss the opportunity to cheer on your favorite team and support a cause that helps families stay near to their hospitalized child with serious illness.
The annual event, hosted by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES), will be held Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 2 p.m. in the Voinovich Livestock & Trade Center on the Ohio Expo Center and State Fair grounds.
“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.”
During the Dean’s Charity Steer Show, 10 teams, consisting of a team captain, team champion(s), and experienced Ohio 4-H youth, will not only show a steer, but will also compete to see who can raise the most money for RMHC of Central Ohio through donations and a live “auction” following the show. Team members will have practiced with their experienced 4-H’er and their steer before entering the show ring. Can’t attend the show in person? You can still donate to your favorite team at give.osu.edu/deanscharitysteershow.
The 2022 show raised $247,148 for RMHC. A major expansion is underway that will more than double the size of the Columbus Ronald McDonald House. Located across the street from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, it will be the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world, with 202 guest rooms, a new kitchen and dining facility, new staff offices, and a community event room once completed in November.
Also new this year is an online auction where you can browse and bid on more than 75 items donated by participating teams and community partners to support RMHC. View all items at go.osu.edu/dcssbid. Act now as the auction will close on Aug. 1. Learn more by visiting deanscharitysteershow.osu.edu.
The 10 Ohio 4-H youth development families who will participate with their animal are the Barton family from Clinton County, the Gehret family from Darke County, the Bok family from Defiance County, the Moore family from Fairfield County, the Yochum family from Highland County, the Powell family from Morrow County, the Scott family from Portage County, the Fox family from Seneca County, the Sheetz family from Stark County, and the Chester family from Warren County.
Teams and members will include The Moo Crew with Kristin Bernert of the Columbus Crew partnered with David Holmes of 10-TV; Team Grace will feature Michelle Warnke Buurma of American Ninja Warrior and the Movement Lab Ohio; Team McSteering All Together will include Marshela McDaniel, Dan Aloi, Melissa James, and Tara Vorst of McDonalds; Team CosMOOpolitans will include Tammy Roberts Myers of Bath & Body Works partnered with Kimberly Flaherty of Washington Prime Group, and Tim Flaherty of Post House Creative.
The Huntington Green Team will feature Richard Porrello and Christina Brown of Huntington Bank, partnered with Yolanda Harris of 10TV; Team on You Cy’d will include Cy Prettyman of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation partnered with Nationwide and the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation; Team Steer It Up will include Rick Ricart of Ricart Automotive partnered with Kate Siefert of ABC 6 and Fox 28; Team THE Buckeye Moo’d will include Melissa Shivers of The Ohio State University partnered with Tracy Townsend of 10-TV; Team Burrow 4 The House will feature Matt Barnes, Monica Day, McKenna King, and Kristine Varkony, all anchors at NBC-4 TV; and Team Crimson Cup Calves will be led by Greg Ubert of Crimson Cup Coffee.
The All-Ohio State Fair Band will kick off the event, with special guests from The Ohio State University, including director of Marching and Athletic Bands, Chris Hoch, and Ohio State drum major, Clayton Callender.
Each year, more than 82,000 nights of rest are provided to families of seriously ill children by the Columbus Ronald McDonald House. It 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 facility provides a home away from home for families facing a child’s illness and hospitalization.
The Dean’s Charity Steer Show is coordinated by CFAES, Telhio Credit Union, Ohio Cattlemen’s Association, and the Ohio State Fair. Ohio 4-H is CFAES’ youth development program, delivered through Ohio State University Extension, CFAES’ statewide outreach program. The first two steer shows raised a combined total of $399,148.
Cover photo shows Steer Jumanji and 4-Her Karissa Treadway pose with Brutus Buckeye and team members Cameron Fontana and Rick Ricart at the 2022 Dean’s Charity Steer Show. Photo by Ken Chamberlain courtesy cfaes.osu.edu .