Iowa Maine-Anjou Association Gets Involved - Again!

by Darwin Luing

Last spring an Iowa Maine-Anjou member came up with an idea on how the Iowa Maine-Anjou
Association could show their support for a wonderful cause to one of their member families. The membership took hold of this idea and the board members went to work.

An easy decision was made – it was to be in memory of a little boy that was close to the hearts of all of us. The idea was to sponsor a steer in the 2004 Governor’s Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair in memory of Bret Golightly. Bret passed away on Sept. 6, 2003 after a 13-month fight against Leukemia; he was six years old. He was the loving son of Dan and Michelle Golightly and the loving brother of Karlee Golightly of Booneville, Iowa.

The steers shown in the Governor’s Steer Show are sold following the show in the Governor’s Charity Steer Auction with all proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House. During Bret’s fight against Leukemia, the Golightly’s stayed in the Ronald McDonald House for more than 120 days.

The task began with joyful hearts for Bret and the Ronald McDonald House. First, we had to secure a spot in the show with the Iowa Cattlmen’s Association. Next, we needed to find a suitable celebrity show person. Bret really liked girls, so who better than Miss Iowa, Carolyn Nicholas, Clear Lake, a third year law student at Drake University. Carolyn is one of the nicest young ladies you could meet – a perfect match. Then, we needed to find a steer that would fit the part and also represent the Maine-Anjou breed. We were fortunate to secure the Lucas County Fair Grand Champion Steer, owned and shown by Betsy Lukavsky, Chariton. Someone must have been guiding our moves, because again we found a perfect match – a lovely, bubbly young lady. Now we needed to figure out how the owner’s name would appear for the steer. After a little thought, it was decided to say just as it was – Iowa Maine-Anjou friends of Bret Golightly. We now needed a name for the steer. Dan and Michelle Golightly were contacted because we were looking for the name of one of Bret’s favorite toys or animals. The name of his favorite stuffed dog, Hunter, was decided upon. The arrangements were now in place, all we could do was wait for show day.

What a day it was for the Golightly family, the Lukavsky family, the Ronald McDonald House and the Iowa Maine-Anjou members, who were so emotionally involved from the preparation to the show and through the sale. Our steer, Hunter, was selected by judge Marshall Ruble as Grand Champion Steer and sold at the auction for $6,700 to Ritchie Industries and John Ruan Corporation, with the money going to the Ronald McDonald House.

It really feels good when you can say “A JOB WELL DONE” for a great cause and for people close to your heart.