Pictured (Courtesy of DMACC): Grant Borkowski of Carroll (left) and Morgan Knapp of Bloomfield (right), a current DMACC student, pose for a photo with Buster Bear the steer on Sat., Aug. 15, at the 38th Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show held on the campus of Iowa State University.
A recent Glidden-Ralston High School graduate helped raise over $250,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa over the weekend at the 38th Annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show. Each summer, show sponsors purchase a steer from an Iowa 4-H member, and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) in its 19th year as a sponsor purchased a steer, Buster Bear, previously known as just Buster that was raised and shown by Grant Borkowski. Borkowski and Buster earned Grand Champion Market Steer and Reserve Supreme Champion Market Animal honors during the 2020 Carroll County Fair in July. DMACC purchased Buster for $17,500 to show at the charity show on Iowa State University’s campus in Ames and added Bear to the name as a nod to the community college’s mascot and the classic children’s book by Thornton Burgess, “The Adventures of Buster Bear.” In addition to their charity show contribution, DMACC donated 50 copies of the book to Ronald McDonald House locations throughout Iowa. Saturday’s 38th Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show generated over $250,000. Since its creation in 1983, the show has raised more than $4.1 million for the organization, which provides “a home away from home” near hospitals for seriously ill children and their families. The show is generally held at the Iowa State Fair but was moved this year due to the state fair’s cancellation.
