For a cause

Angus Impact is the official service project of the NJAA and connects juniors to causes in their communities, within their state associations and on the national level. Previous Angus Impact projects have included supporting the Ronald McDonald Charity Houses, school supply drives and packing care kits for local homeless shelters.  

“There’s usually a competitive component to whatever the service project is that year,” Anne explains. “I think the states have a lot of fun with that, but it is also a way for the whole organization to come together and unite over one mission.” 

That competitive nature of the state associations paid off big for the program during the 2024 National Junior Angus Show (NJAS), when the Angus Impact project was the giver of the largest donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Madison. 

This year, that mission focuses on raising funds and awareness for the Colon Cancer Foundation, an organization dedicated to research, advocacy and promoting early screenings. The NJAB is asking members to rally around it through a lively competition known as Penny Wars.

“I landed on this organization for our Angus Impact project this year from my personal history with it,” Anne says. “But also, cancer as a whole is something that many people unfortunately deal with, know someone that’s dealt with it or lost a loved one to it.”  

How Penny Wars work

Leading up to the NJAS in Louisville, NJAA members are encouraged to collect spare change — cups in show barns, coffee cans in the kitchen, glovebox stashes, anything counts. States will bring their combined collections to NJAS, where the Penny Wars will become one of the week’s highlighted events.

Casey Jentz, chief operations officer; Ty Murray, regional manager; Blake Pillars, NJAB; Caitlyn Brandt, director of events and junior activities; and other Angus legends will have a jar with their name on it. 

Over the course of the week, kids and parents can drop coins into the jars. At closing ceremonies, the jar with the greatest amount of coins collected will emerge victorious, and the “winning” individual will receive a pie to the face in front of the audience.

Colon cancer awareness

While this year’s project will bring plenty of laughter, the cause behind it carries real impact.

“A little over a year ago, my mom passed away from the disease,” Anne says. “It was really hard, and unfortunately, a lot of people know someone who has dealt with cancer or lost a loved one to it.”

During this difficult time, Anne reminisces that one of the most memorable things to come out of her time of grief was the Association support and how people showed up for her and her family. 

“After my mom passed, the board members that were at Louisville started wearing the blue colon cancer awareness pins. It was very special to me.

They were supporting not only colon cancer awareness, but me and my family,” she says. “I think it’s a testimony to the power that the NJAA has, its members and just showing up for each other, our communities and service. It just kind of comes full circle with the Angus Impact mission this year, giving back and being there for each other.  I think that kindness goes a long way and is something that all of us remember for the rest of our lives.” 

Though deeply personal, Anne’s story reflects a broader reality. Colon cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the United States, but also one of the most preventable, she explains. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes, and awareness helps encourage screenings and conversations.

“My family has tried to stay positive and do what we can, so others don’t end up in a similar situation,” she says. “Anything we can do to help advocate for getting screenings and prevention, because hopefully that can have a positive impact on somebody else’s family and their life, so they do not have to go through an unfortunate circumstance.” 

A united purpose

Anne hopes juniors recognize the significance of service in their communities, the national association, and what they can accomplish together.
“Angus Impact is bigger than one person or one board,” she says. “It’s a chance to come together for something larger than ourselves.”

Whether a junior collects a handful of nickels or a bucket full of coins, every contribution moves the mission forward and supports an important cause. 

As NJAS approaches, Anne is looking forward to seeing Penny Wars jars fill and juniors rally around friendly competition while supporting an important cause. 

Most of all, Anne is grateful for her fellow board members, for the juniors and for the opportunity to bring a personal mission into her leadership role.

“This organization supported me when I needed it the most. Now, I get to help lead an effort that supports others,” Anne says.