Friday, Apr. 24, 2009

Local charities benefit from livestock auction

Dos Palos FFA member donated all of the proceeds of pig-sale to the American Cancer Society last year.

Support our local youth at the Junior Livestock Auction on May 2, at 10 a.m., and you support our local charities too. Buyers of animals that sell at the auction assist in helping many of the youth raise funds for their future education and in one instance, donate thousands of dollars to charity.

Part of the 4-H pledge is to commit hands to larger service, and part of the FFA members' motto is to build character and promote citizenship and volunteerism among other things. Examples of the community service provided by these young citizens abound and are not just a concept, but a daily practice.

Last year a 250 pound pig sold for approximately $13,000. Thirty-six members of the community supported Orelia "Ory" Rhodes, the 17-year-old, Dos Palos FFA Member who donated all of the proceeds of her pig to the American Cancer Society.

A regular volunteer at the Los Baños Memorial Hospital, Ory was especially touched last year by the children afflicted with cancer and fighting for their lives.

"I'd like to become a pediatrician and help kids," Rhodes said. "I thought maybe this money could help someone."

Rhodes, who had just celebrated her 17th birthday, has experienced first-hand the ravage of cancer as she has had three family members die of cancer over the past few years.

No stranger to giving, in 2007, Rhodes donated the proceeds of her livestock project to Valley Children's Hospital. In addition to being a Catapult Youth leader, she donates regularly to a number of community charities and shelters.

"I don't keep track, I just do," she said. When pressed for why she spends so much time volunteering she replied, "My Mom! She is the biggest giver ever and we grew up giving. I want to follow in her footsteps."

"The kids involved in the 4-H and FFA programs never cease to amaze me with their maturity and worldly thinking," said Spring Fair Manager Ron Brandt. "For a high school student to come up with the idea of donating her hard-earned income, not just a part of, but all, to the American Cancer Society so that the lives of others can be touched, is not something that you usually think of coming from a 17-year-old.

"The youth that I've had the pleasure of working with over the year demonstrate such compassion and courage, that I feel fortunate to know them and proud to have them as a part of the Merced County Spring Fair," Brandt said.

Rhodes was fair royalty at the 2008 Merced County Spring Fair as the Miss May Day first runner-up. The community members that stepped up to help Ory Rhodes contribute even more than her $5,000 goal to the American Cancer Society were: Butch Waldron, Stanislaus F.S./Merced County Farm Bureau, Parreira Almond Processing, Joel Allen, Mario DeFrancesco III, Allen Von Allman, Eric Fontana, Soares Farms, Lewis Maiorino Ranches, Inc., Augie & Jill Scoto, David Santos Farming, Laura & Dustin Rasey, Barcellos Enterprise, Ranchers Tractor Co., J & F Fertilizer, B & C Goat Dairy, The Morning Star Packing Company, M.C. Dairy Construction, N & S Tractors, Borelli Farms, Gustine Fair Boosters, Robert Sturgeon, Town & Country Market, Norman Silva & Sons, John V. Silveira, San Juan Ranch, Firebaugh Chevrolet, Brett Silva, Silview Dairy, Frank Bettencourt, Pentagon Co., Drew and Tabitha Telles, Dan and Mary Ann Ramos, Harry Marx Cadillac Pontiac GM, Emil and Jeanette Alberti, RPAC Almond Handlers.