November 12, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information contact:

Katie Allen, Angus Foundation director of marketing and public relations, at 816-383-5100 or kallen@angusfoundation.org; or

Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president, at 816-383-5100 or mjenkins@angusfoundation.org

Angus Foundation Wraps Up 2012 Supporter Recognition Event

The annual event, which took place Nov. 10, included gift announcements and donor recognition.

The Angus Foundation would like to thank all who attended its 2012 Supporter Recognition Event, an event intended to honor and thank all Angus Foundation supporters who have contributed $250 or more the past fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2011 – Sept. 30, 2012). The event was hosted at the Crowne Plaza Hotel Louisville-Airport Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Ky., in conjunction with the North American International Livestock Exposition.

More than 250 people attended the event. The event theme, “Faces of Progress,” was meant to depict faces of individuals who have helped support and who have been supported in some way by the Angus Foundation in the past year.

“It is with immeasurable gratitude and appreciation to our generous financial supporters that we offer the Angus Foundation Supporter Recognition Event in Louisville each year,” says Milford Jenkins, Angus Foundation president. “Supporters can have a sense of reward and fulfillment knowing the difference their gifts are making in the lives of Angus breeders and our youth across the country, and this year’s theme, ‘Faces of Progress,’ appropriately captures and engenders the spirit of this impact and our organization’s tireless efforts to help advance the Angus breed.”

Featured speakers for the event included emcees JanLee Rowlett, chairman of the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA) Board of Directors from Hurricane Mills, Tenn., and Megan Ahearn, foundation director of the NJAA Board of Directors from Wills Point, Texas. The junior directors provided testimonials on how the Angus Foundation has assisted them in reaching their goals and putting themselves through college. Angus Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Cathy Watkins of Middletown, Ind., also encouraged those in attendance to continue supporting the Angus Foundation’s youth, education and research programs.

Highlights of the event included honoring Camron “Cam” Cooper of The Talon Ranch, Twin Bridges, Mont., and Dr. Curtis and Ann Long of Briarwood Angus Farms, Butler, Mo., for reaching the prestigious “Angus Builder” donor level ($100,000-$249,000) in outright cash contributions during the 2012 fiscal year; a special presentation to National Junior Angus Show Steer Carcass Contest winners, including the champion winner Laramie Chaffin of Roodhouse, Ill., and reserve champion winner Caroline Cowles of Rockfield, Ky., by award sponsor Dr. Curtis Long; and recognition of Watkins for her service and leadership on the Angus Foundation Board of Directors during the past year.

A distinct part of the program each year is the announcements of new major gifts to the Angus Foundation. These announcements included a $10,000 contribution by the Montana Angus Association and Montana Angus Auxiliary to expand the Montana Angus Youth Scholarship Endowment Fund those organizations established within the Angus Foundation last year, and a $20,000 gift from INTRUST Bank to fulfill the first phase of “The $75,000 Card Challenge.” In the second phase, through Dec. 31, 2012, INTRUST Bank will continue to donate $100 to the Angus Foundation for every new and activated Angus Platinum Visa^® booked. If 300 more new and activated accounts are achieved before Dec. 31, INTRUST Bank will throw in an additional $25,000 to support the Angus Foundation.

Concluding the event was the auction of the Ruger^® 10/22^® Cattle Drive, a .22LR semi-automatic rifle, with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation’s efforts to support youth, education and research programs. This limited-edition rifle, engraved with scenes of cattle drives that depict the story of the American West, was purchased for $15,000 by David and Mary Ann McMahon of Belle Point Ranch, Lavaca, Ark.

The Angus Foundation was established in 1980 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization to support Angus education, youth and research. To learn more about the Angus Foundation and the programs it supports, call the American Angus Association^® at 816-383-5100 or go to www.angusfoundation.org.

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