Steer sale at youth expo will benefit wildfire victims
The Oklahoma Youth Expo is backing a special livestock auction scheduled for Friday, with proceeds going to children whose family farms and ranches were damaged in the wildfires that ravaged northwest Oklahoma.
More than 780,000 acres in Beaver, Harper, and Woodward counties were scorched when wildfires erupted on March 6, killing thousands of head of livestock and destroying at least eight houses along with farm equipment, fences and buildings.
“The wildfires have created a financial burden for families,” said Tyler Norvell, Oklahoma Youth Expo executive director.
The special sale on Friday afternoon is earmarked for about 20 students whose families lost livestock and who want to exhibit animals next year.
State Sen. Eddie Fields, R-Wynona, whose family shows livestock at the expo, got the ball rolling with the donation of a show steer.
The 1,400-pound steer will be auctioned off separately during the Sale of Champions, set for 4 p.m. Friday at State Fair Arena, with all the proceeds going
to the young people, Norvell said.
“We hope to raise over $30,000,” Newell said.
“But that is just a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed.”
After Field’s donation, Norvell made some telephone calls and secured a cumulative $10,000 challenge from Devon, Chesapeake, Newfield and Cimarex. They will match donations up to $10,000, he said.
That prompted another $10,000 pledge from the Coalition of Surface and Mineral Owners in Oklahoma, Norvell said.
“All contributions are welcome — nothing is too large or too small,” he said.
The Oklahoma Youth Expo continues through Friday at State Fair Park. The Sale of Champions includes cattle, sheep, goats and hogs and typically raises more than $1 million, Newell said.
One winner at the Expo this week was Rayli Cunningham, who took home a $500 scholarship. She placed third with her 1-year-old Angus heifer.
Her father, Andy Cunningham, said the family lost 8,000 acres of leased grass, a couple of cows and about six baby calves when the wildfires burned their property north of Laverne.
“The reason we didn’t lose more is because of my wife, Kodel, and our children, Rayli and Keb,” he said. “They moved 250 head out of harm’s way.”
Andy Cunningham said he knew his close neighbors would be there for each other, “but people called from five to six hours away and said, ‘You say the word and I’ll be there.’ They didn’t say ‘I’ll send someone,’ they said, ‘I’ll be there.’”
All those calls were much appreciated, but one really stood out, he said.
“A man from southcentral Oklahoma sent hay to my neighbor and I said, ‘Thank you so much,’” Andy recalled.
“He said, ‘Andy I’m not doing anything you wouldn’t do for me.’ He’s right, but I really appreciate it.”
People who want to donate or bid on the donated steer can contact Tyler Norvell at tyler@ okyouthexpo.org, or call Ron Hays at (405) 4736144.