ALAMEDA — A 10-year-old member of the Alameda 4-H Beef Club will be using proceeds from the sale of his 4-H steer to help others.
Bowyn Freitag, the son of Cory and Rayanne Freitag, will be bringing his steer named Fancy Jim to a regional 4-H show and sale in Alameda on June 14. Bowyn and Rayanne expect Fancy Jim will finish at around 1,400 pounds and have enough meat to fill a freezer.
Half of the money generated by Fancy Jim's sale will be donated by Bowyn to the Wascana Rehabilitation Centre in Regina in his father's name. Cory Freitag, who died in January, spent 10 months at the centre after suffering a spinal cord injury in an automobile rollover. Jim is the last of Cory's steers that Bowyn will show in 4-H.
While at the Wascana, Cory received "the best care and service", the program stated.
Bowyn has had lots of success at sales in his five years in 4-H, winning buckles for the grand champion and reserve champion steer in the past to go with lots of banners. He believes Fancy Jim looks as good as any steer he has had in the past.
Fancy Jim has been raised on the best feed and will be ready for the sale.
"I have to wash him, I have to groom him. I have to feed him daily," Bowyn said in an interview with Â鶹ÊÓƵ. "I have to lead him."
Rayanne added that it takes a lot of care to get the steer ready for the show.
Fancy Jim gained his name because they said he likes to be a show steer. Cory liked to give nicknames to people and things, so they thought it would be suitable to give Jim the Fancy moniker.
Cory Freitag also loved the annual sale, helping feed the steers and helping get the animals ready.
"Cory always bought a steer every year at the 4-H sale. He was a huge supporter of 4-H," Rayanne said.
Bowyn believes it would be "amazing" to raise at least $10,000 for the Wascana. They know it would be a lot and Rayanne said they will appreciate any bid they receive. She added the fundraiser started out as a small idea and has rolled into a big charity benefit.
"We just had the idea of donating some of it [the money raised] and then the 4-H clubs got together and decided that he should be selling it as a charity steer. He gets to sell third and it's a bigger thing than we ever imagined."
They have received a lot of interest already, they said. His fellow club members think this is a good idea. Rayanne said they are thankful for the support they have received, which she said is "truly amazing".
"A lot of people are reaching out," said Rayanne. "People have been sharing it all over Facebook. Lots of good response about it."
The money donated will go towards equipment and help with costs for other patients with similar injuries to Cory's.
Bowyn already has a spot booked for his steer at the Â鶹ÊÓƵeast Butcher Block.
