| A total of $160,000 was raised through the Foundation’s Angus Day of Giving and Ranchers’ Revelry events. |
Angus Day of Giving has been celebrated since 2021 to commemorate the day Grant arrived to the prairies of Kansas. This year, Angus Day of Giving marked the starting point of the Foundation’s goal of 1,000 donations by December 31, 2023, to its Legacy Built campaign. The campaign was launched to honor the breed’s 150-year milestone, and asks donors to pledge $150 to sustain the Angus legacy for the future. Donations are earmarked to the Angus Fund, which uses unrestricted funds to support a multitude of American Angus Association® programs.
The Foundation received 309 donations to the Legacy Built campaign to kick off its challenge. These gifts had double the impact with the help of a $30,000 matching gift from an anonymous donor. In total, the celebration raised over $80,000 to support the Angus Foundation’s mission to advance Angus education, youth and research.
“It’s always amazing to see the outpouring of support from our Angus family, and this day of giving was no different,” said Jaclyn Boester, Angus Foundation executive director. “With the generosity of all who contributed to the Legacy Built campaign, including our anonymous match donor, we’re well on our way to ensuring the Angus legacy is sustained for the next 150 years.”
Ranchers’ Revelry was held May 19 in Berryville, Virginia, at Audley Farm. For over two centuries, Audley Farm has been a part of American history, with the most well-known of its residents being Eleanor “Nelly” Custis Lewis, the adopted daughter of George and granddaughter of Martha Washington. Nelly was known for her “revelry” as the hostess of Audley Farm.
“We thought we could bring a little bit of a unique offering with our Thoroughbred program, our Angus program and just the rich history of this farm,” said Turner Kobayashi, Audley Farm general manager. “To be a part of history and honor it and honor Mr. Grant, and just to meet and develop the fellowship and comradery with other ranchers out here, it’s just a wonderful opportunity.”
During the Friday evening event, a unique collection of exclusive experiences, art, collectibles and business services were auctioned, raising $67,950. Attendees enjoyed a night of Angus fellowship in celebration of the anniversary, with Audley Farm beef served for dinner. The evening also featured “The Steaks Races,” a tribute to Audley’s Thoroughbred racehorses with prizes sponsored by Certified Angus Beef. The opportunity allowed guests to “claim horses,” entering to win a variety of Certified Angus Beef ® branditems. In total, the event raised over $80,000 to benefit the Angus Foundation’s mission.
“Ranchers’ Revelry was an incredible evening to celebrate our great breed among Angus friends and family, and we are so appreciative to those who made it possible,” Boester said. “The Angus Foundation is grateful to Audley Farm for underwriting this event, the Angus breeders and allied industry members who donated to this fundraiser and those who supported by bidding and buying in our auction. This was a truly memorable event that gives me great confidence in the future of our legacy.”
In addition to Audley Farm, Ranchers’ Revelry was made possible by a dedicated group of volunteers. Event coordinators Julie McMahon French, Belle Point Ranch, and Wynn Dalton, Daltons on the Sycamore, along with many Virginia Angus breeders and Angus Foundation supporters, volunteered their time and efforts to the event. The auction garnered support from Angus enthusiasts around the country, as both item donors and buyers.
A complete list of auction items, donors and buyers follows.
Auction Results:
Lot 1: 150th Celebration Silk Scarf – Number 1 of Limited Edition of 150
Donor: Angus Foundation
Buyer: Tom McGinnis, Heritage Farm – Shelbyville, Ky.
Lot 1X: Certified Angus Beef ® Vintage Tie
Donor: John & Bernice Mrotek – Gainesville, Va.
Buyer: Tim & Gretchen Clark, Clark Boys at Elba West – Gretna, Va.
Lot 2: 1850s Scottish Thistle Pendant
Donor: Pete & Connie Henderson, Edgewood Angus, LLC – Williamsburg, Va.
KVK Jewelers, The Jewelers Vault – York, Neb.
Buyer: Pete & Connie Henderson, Edgewood Angus, LLC – Williamsburg, Va.
Lot 3: “Thistle Downs” 1 of 1 Quilt & Pillow
Donor: Joe & Mary Zarella, Bliss Lane Cattle Company – Great Falls, Va.
Buyer: Audley Farm – Berryville, Va.
Lot 4: Auld Aberdeen Scottish Terrier – Pick of Litter
Donor: Dick & Diane Beck – Red Lodge, Mont.
Buyer: Don & Carol Bloom, Bloom Angus Farm, LLC – Westville, Ind.
Lot 5: Ultimate Herd Visit, Biltmore – Culinary and Wine Tasting Experience for 8
Donor: The Biltmore Company, Biltmore Livestock – Asheville, N.C.
Buyer: Audley Farm – Berryville, Va.
Lot 6: Ultimate Herd Visit, Fort Worth – Western Spirit & Style Experience for 4
Donor: Dan & Farris Wilks, Wilks Ranch Texas, LTD – Cisco, Texas
Buyer: Tim & Kara Coleman, Sierra Ranches – Modesto, Calif.
Tim & Gretchen Clark, Clark Boys at Elba West – Gretna, Va.
Lot 7: A Day in the Life of a Real Montana Rancher – Collection of Angus Fine Art Photography
Donor: 7A: Kurt Kangas – Big Timber, Mont.
7B: Erica Coleman – Charlo, Mont.
7C: Seana Brown – Bigfork, Mont.
7D: Bree Swanson – Chinook, Mont.
Buyer: 7A, B, D: Earl & Candy Enix, Enix Farms LLC – Aurora, Colo.
7C: Wynn Dalton – Lynchburg, Va.
Lot 8: Sue Rucker’s Vintage Angus Brooch & 6 Fashionable Fringe Scarves
Donor: The family of Sue Rucker, Hill Crest Farm – Delaplane, Va.
Jodi Hendrickson, Fringe Scarves – Millsap, Texas
KVK Jewelers, The Jewelers Vault – York, Neb.
Buyer: Tom McGinnis, Heritage Farm – Shelbyville, Ky.
Lot 9: One of a Kind, Custom-Made Dinnerware
Donor: Larry & Ryan Cotton, Cotton & Associates – Howell, Mich.
Buyer: Tom McGinnis, Heritage Farm – Shelbyville, Ky.
Lot 10: Moore & Giles Benedict Weekend Bag
Donor: Moore & Giles – Forest, Va.
Buyer: Paul & Tracy Bennett, Knoll Crest Farms Inc. – Red House, Va.
Lot 11: Ad Agency Press Proof of “The Blacks”
Donor: John & Claudia Mitchel, Optum Angus – Seaman, Ohio
Buyer: Belle Point Ranch – Fort Smith, Ark.
Lot 12: First Angus in the U.S. Fine Art Print
Donor: Christy Collins, CCI.live – Frederick, Okla.
Buyer: Mark & Cindy Ahearn, Turner Meadow Ranch – Wills Point, Texas
Lot 13: USPS American Commemorative Stamps
Donor: John & Claudia Mitchel, Optum Angus – Seaman, Ohio
Buyer: Audley Farm – Berryville, Va.
Lot 14: Grand Champion Cast Metal Art
Donor: Tom & Lois Ames, Spruce Mountain Ranch LLC – Larkspur, Colo.
Buyer: Tom Burke, American Angus Hall of Fame – Smithville, Mo.
Lot 15: She Speaks to Me Framed Canvas Print
Donor: John & Claudia Mitchel, Optum Angus – Seaman, Ohio
Buyer: Ryan Borer – Buchanan, Va.
Lot 16: Angus Revelry To-Go
Donor: Joan and Blanford Pierce, Woodlawn Farm – Creston, Ill.
Reese Tuckwiller – Christiansburg, Va.
Dean & Marcia Bryant, Roseda Farm – Monkton, Md.
Buyer: Richie & Kelley Longanecker, Big Timber Cattle Company – Lithia, Fla.
To learn more about the Angus Foundation and its mission, visit www.AngusFoundation.org.
| — Written by Peyton Schmitt, Angus Communications |
