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Commodity Groups Compete To Raise Money For Good Cause
Colo. Corn Growers, Cattlemen’s Association Fundraise for All-American Beef Battalion
Whether a farmer is harvesting soybeans and corn or finishing out fat steers, food producers definitely have one thing in common: their American patriotism. For two commodity groups in Colorado, this pledge to the United States extends to their community service work, and the Colorado Corn Growers and the Colorado Livestock Association recently had a competition to raise money for a good cause, the All-American Beef Battalion (AABB). The AABB is a group of cattle producers dedicated to show their support by serving steaks to troops in events across the country. Now, these Colorado commodity groups are challenging others to stand up and show their support, too.
“This was a good natured challenge between the commodity groups, but it was more of a good spirited invitation to support the All-American Beef Battalion,” said Mark Sponsler, with the Colorado Corn Growers. “Their group matched our $5,000 to give to this cause. We really enjoy teaming up with the livestock industry, and this was a great opportunity for us to say thanks to the troops, as well.”
A steak feed was held on Sat., Oct. 17, 2009, feeding 1,500 service members and their families. In addition to their monetary donations of $13,200, the Colorado Corn Growers and the Colorado Livestock Association also volunteered their time by serving steaks at the event.
“The troops are truly a deserving group of people who make great sacrifices to protect the things that we hold dear,” said Sponsler. “We have a great appreciation for the troops, and it was great to team up with our number one customers, the livestock producers, to show that appreciation through this steak feed. We really need to do this kind of thing more often. All of us at the event even wore ‘Thank-you’ tee shirts to show our gratitude to these young people.”
“It’s a privilege for me to be able to show our gratitude for the great service our troops do for this country through steak feeds,” said AABB founder Bill Broadie. “However, despite our many donors, the demand from the troops is outrunning the donations coming in. We need all the support we can get. Commodity groups across the country can make a huge difference to help this cause.”
AABB is a group of individuals involved in the United States Beef Cattle Industry working to support our brave troops fighting the global war on terror. AABB works to organize and sponsor steak feeds, entertainment, programs, meetings, and projects with Service Members and their families, as well as to foster among the people of the United States an appreciation, respect, and honor for our Armed Forces Military Service Members whose sacrifices have and will continue to make our freedoms possible. For more information or to make a donation, check out www.steaksfortroops.com. |
