by Megan Clark, Angus Journal intern 

National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) members rallied behind the mission of supporting families and took part in the 2024 Angus Impact project, where pop tabs, meals and gift cards were donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison, Wisconsin. Eighteen states collected 652 pounds of pop tabs, totaling $326, the single-largest donation to ever be made by one organization at the Madison Ronald McDonald House.

National Junior Angus Board (NJAB) vice chairman, Lauren Gilbert led the Angus Impact project this year and said she was in awe of the amount of pop tabs collected by the NJAA.

“It was incredible to see how many people had turned up with so many pop tabs,” Gilbert said.

Prior to the start of the 2024 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), NJAB members served 35 meals, donated by Certified Angus Beef, to residents on June 28.

“Food brings people together and that’s huge, especially during times of need,” Gilbert said. “It was really awesome to be able to help prepare and serve a nice, healthy, nutritious and tasteful meal during a time that they really need it.”

July 2, during the NJAS, the Illinois Angus Auxiliary coordinated a 5K “Glow Run” raising another $500for the Ronald McDonald House. Additionally, 35 $10 Subway gift cards were donated.

“We really can’t keep our house doors open without people doing generous acts like the NJAA did,” said Sophia Melgar, volunteer and operations manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison. “Really, we can’t say thank you enough.”

The goal of the Angus Impact project is to help better the lives of others through acts of kindness to families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.

Melgar said within her time as a staff member at the House, she could not think of another organization that has gone above and beyond quite like the NJAA did. 

Angus Impact is the official community service program of the NJAA. The goal of the project is to help state junior associations be the change through acts of service. To view results of the 2024 NJAS, including shows, contests, awards and scholarships, visit www.njas.info.