The Governor’s Charity Steer Show set a new record by raising over $244,000 for Ronald McDonald House, and Lone Tree student Karli Burr’s steer George had a big hand in it. George was purchased by McDonald’s Restaurants of Johnson County for $10,000, with additional support from other local businesses in the amount of $2,500, making him one of the top-selling steers at the show. Burr said they didn’t know how much any of the steers would sell for, but was amazed that hers sold for so much and is going to a cause she believes in.

Part of the weekend’s experience included a trip to the Des Moines Ronald McDonald House on Friday to volunteer, which Burr said was the highlight of the weekend for her. The Ronald McDonald House is a charity that particularly resonates with the Burr family, as Karli explained they were housed for 10 nights in one in Madison, Wisconsin, when her sister was there for a kidney transplant. She saw the steer show as her way to give back to the charity that helped them. She described the show as one of the coolest experiences she’s ever had, and enjoyed meeting the other kids who shared her passion for cattle and raising money for charity. Burr said she would love to do the show again next year, if given another opportunity.