The National Junior Angus Show (NJAS) instills life lessons to junior members in many facets. Whether it be learning more about the industry through research for a contest, experiencing how to win humbly or losing gracefully when defeated in the showring, or even teaching selflessness by volunteering with the Angus Impact Project, the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) is sculpting the well-rounded individuals of tomorrow. 

At the 2024 NJAS, members from all over the nation contributed to the service project by collecting pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison, Wis. Donations were collected from 18 states with a grand total of 652 pounds (lb.) of pop tabs being collected, equaling $326 given back to the House. The Tennessee Junior Angus Association brought a whopping 187 lbs. of pop tabs, surpassing the amount donated by any other state. 

Sophia Melgar, volunteer and operations manager at the Madison House, explains she and residents were truly amazed by the scope of service produced by the NJAA.

“We’ve really not had a donation like that in a really long time; they filled all of our barrels outside, and we still had leftovers [pop tabs],” she says. “That was really, really cool to see.”

This pop-tab drive was especially important for participants like Wisconsin junior, Hailey Jentz, as she knows the donations will benefit those in her home state. 

“It feels amazing to give back to a community in need. Cattle are one of my passions, so giving back at NJAA events makes the experience that much better.” —HAILEY JENTZ

The Angus family continued to rise above, donating 35 $10 gift cards to House families. An additional $500 was donated from the 5K ‘Glow Run’ that took place at the NJAS, coordinated by the Illinois Angus Auxiliary.

Taking it one step further

In addition to the monetary donations, Certified Angus Beef (CAB) donated brisket for a meal that was served to House residents by the National Junior Angus Board (NJAB). 

“Food brings people together, and that’s huge, especially during times of need,” says NJAB vice chairman Lauren Gilbert. “It was really awesome to be able to provide them a nice, healthy, nutritious and tasteful meal during a time that they really need it.”

Gilbert helped bring the idea of serving a meal to House residents to life. She says her drive to serve in a greater capacity was fueled by sympathy for what residents are going through.

“I just think — how incredible is it to be able to provide someone a nice meal whenever they’re going through one of the toughest points in their life? The last thing that they want to have to worry about is how am I going to feed myself?” Gilbert says.

The meal — CAB brisket, cheesy potatoes, baked beans, cornbread and salad — was served Friday evening, prior to the start of the NJAS. Junior board members gathered at the Ronald McDonald House to serve the comforting supper and came bearing gifts for the children.

“I don’t think I completely understood the scale of how much [the NJAB was] going to do because they touched our families in so many different ways,” Melgar says. “They really went above and beyond with the pens, notepads and little stress cows that they brought in.”

Melgar says most dinner groups who visit the House don’t bring anything other than the meal, but the simplest of things bring so much joy.

“I was here a little bit later that night, and there were a few different little girls who were playing with their cows,” Melgar says happily. “It was really sweet to see them do that.” 

Bellies were full and the gifts were appreciated, but the NJAA still wasn’t satisfied. 

“One group cleaned up the landscape area, they swept the parking area, took out garbage for Ronald McDonald House Charities,” says Shally Rogen, NJAA advisor and American Angus Auxiliary member. “They did odds and ends to make their [House residents] life better.” 

Being an advisor, Rogen has seen the team’s collaboration affect others firsthand but their dedication with this particular project was especially rewarding. 

“They really had a heartfelt way of volunteering, and they have a desire to just serve and to help children,” she says. 

Looking at the bigger picture, the NJAA left their mark in Madison, Wis. The efforts made on behalf of all involved in the Association didn’t go unnoticed and surely won’t be forgotten. 

“It’s really rare and inspiring to see an organization go above and beyond in so many ways like NJAA did,” Melgar says. “Everything they did, it just felt like they took it to the next level.”