Where’s the beef ? Boy thanks hospital in unique way — selling cuts of meat from his own cattle

After Justin Hurd’s left leg healed following a bad dirt bike accident, the 9-year-old wanted to help other injured and sick kids.

So he talked with his parents and doctors at Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera, California, where his crushed femur was put back together, and devised a unique plan. He’d raffle off the best cuts of meat from a steer he owns to raise money for the nonprofit hospital north of Fresno.

It was a success. The boy sold more than 5,000 raffle tickets at $1 a piece to raise $5,079. Justin’s doctor, Joseph Gerardi — who also treated Justin’s dad when he was a boy — was on hand to accept his donation.

“I hope it goes to good things, like cancer and maybe other diseases, a broken leg,” Justin says. “I think other kids are important. Actually, most people in my class said, ‘Why are you doing this? Why don’t you keep the money for yourself ?’ I’m like, ‘I’m going to put my money for good.’”

Justin bought his first two steers just before his eighth birthday after saving up $2,300 he earned doing chores. He’s since bought and raised 11 steers that are butchered and sold for meat. He has his own cattle brand: JT.

Justin’s parents, Kevin and Allison Hurd, aren’t sure what inspired their son’s cattle operation. He first asked about owning cows when he was 2 years old.

His career goals: “I think I would like to be a pilot on the weekend but a cattleman on the weekdays.”

Philanthropy is important to Justin, in moderation: “I think that some people should give to good stuff. I think you should be nice, but you shouldn’t give away all of your money.”