A record $569,000 raised to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Iowa

JOHNSTON, Iowa (Aug. 11, 2025) — Jimmy, a steer raised by Brenna Thie of Mediapolis, Iowa and selected by the Iowa Bankers Association (IBA), won the 2025 Governor’s Charity Steer Show Grand Champion. This is the second year in a row the IBA has sponsored the Grand Champion steer, and Jeff Angelo became the first three-time winner of the show. The show took place on Aug. 9 in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines and raised a record $569,000 to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Iowa.

Since the origin of the show, the IBA has won more Governor’s Charity Steer Show championships than any other sponsoring company. The IBA has sponsored a steer in the show every year since 1985.
“Each year, it’s an honor to be part of this event that impacts so many,” said Jenica Lensmeyer, vice president, marketing and industry relations for the IBA. “Congratulations to the Thie family and Jeff Angelo, and a special thank you to Don Foley, retired IBA employee, for his role in the steer selection and showing.”

Since 1983, the steer show has highlighted the accomplishments of young producers by having Iowa celebrities show the steers at the fair. This year’s IBA-sponsored steer was shown by Jeff Angelo, WHO Morning Show host.

This win made Angelo the first three-time winner of the show, with victories in 2021, 2024 and 2025.

“I get to stand in a show ring with the very best that Iowa has to offer with these kids and get crowned a champion along with them,” Angelo said. “I will never be able to really find the words to express how much this means to me.”

All show proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Iowa, which provide housing facilities for family members of seriously ill children being treated in local hospitals. Ronald McDonald houses are in Des Moines, Iowa City and Sioux City.