Posted on 09/27/2001 8:21:05 AM PDT by farmfriend
Willie The Goat Raises Money For A Good Cause
(Editors note: The following story is reprinted with permission from the Valley Press. It was written before the auction took place (Willie raised $8477). For a more personal account of this story, please read Norm Dahlia's comments on the Youth Fair page inside. -JDH)
by William P. Warford
Mindy Carner has won a whole box full of ribbons since she started showing livestock at the age of 5. Now 18 and in her final show, Mindy deserves a blue ribbon in that fascinating arena known as life.
Her goat, Willie, will be the last animal bid on in today's livestock auction, and if I know the people of the Antelope Valley, Willie's going to bring in big bucks.
There are some things that transcend competition, and Mindy's story is one of them. It is a story that reminds us of the important things in life, and a story that reminds us of how lucky we are to have so many outstanding young people in our community.
Here's what happened.
For her last appearance at the fair, Mindy raised and entered Willie. Willie didn't win, but during the competition, Mindy noticed another girl who was obviously ill, struggling to make it through the show.
That girl was Charlene Morris, who suffers from a liver ailment and is awaiting a transplant. "This will be her second transplant," said Lloyd Doster, Charlene's Future Farmers of America advisor and Littlerock High instructor. "She did her best, but she just couldn't make it through."
Some of the other competitors took over and finished showing Charlene's goat for her. Seeing this really moved Mindy Carner. " I'd known her from past years, but not well," Mindy was saying Wednesday during a break at the Jaqua Arena. "I could see how hard she was trying and I could see the love and pride she had in what she'd done in raising that goat. I know the love and the pride that I have in what I've done, so it meant a lot to see her trying. She was supposed to be confined to a wheelchair."
Mindy spoke with her Grange Adviser, Lori Dahlia, and they decided to see if they could get Willie into the auction even though he wasn't a winner. That way, Mindy could donate the proceeds to Charlene and her family to help with the enormous costs of battling liver disease.
It would take some finagling, given Willie wasn't qualified for the auction under the rules because he wasn't a champion.
"I went to Mr. Doster and he arranged a meeting with the fair board. Twenty kids (and several adults) showed up in support of my idea," Mindy said.
Now in some cases you might expect the competitors to complain - Willie didn't qualify, he can't be in the auction. Rules are rules. But instead, the other competitors fully supported the move, even though it meant their goats might bring less money. It didn't matter - in fact, several people have already promised Mindy they'll pitch in additional money on top of what Willie brings in at the auction.
The gesture by Mindy, and the others in the competition, is enough to make a teacher proud. "It makes me feel good to know we have young people who still pull together and work to support each other," Lloyd Doster said. "Charlene and her mother are down at UCLA today for treatment and her mother has been apprized of what Mindy's done. She couldn't believe that anyone would do that for someone they didn't really know."
Believe it. And that's why, no matter how much money Willie makes in the auction today, the blue ribbon goes to Mindy Carner and her friends.
A Lesson Is Taught At Fair
Willie the goat raises $8477 for good cause
by Norm & Lori Dahlia
In mid-January of this year a young lady by the name of Mindy Carner called me inquiring about our Grange Fair Program in the Antelope Valley area. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine a young person that would teach me such a lesson in life.
Mindy is 18 years old and is a graduate of the school of hard knocks. In her early teens, she felt laughed at. She is very petite and chooses to march to the beat of her own drummer.
Mindy entered the fair as a member of the Yucca Grange fair team, exhibiting in the Market Sheep and Market Goat classes. Mindy had the Reserve Supreme Champion Market Goat at the 2000 fair and was hoping to achieve the top slot at the 2001 fair, but fell short of her goal. At that point, she was supposed to take her goat, Willie, home since only champions sell at our auction.
But Mindy had another idea. She spoke with her Grange advisor, Lori Dahlia. Together, they came up with the idea of helping Charlene Morris, who is awaiting a liver transplant, by auctioning Willie and donating the proceeds to help the family defray medical costs. Mindy then approached the fair board of directors and asked for a special slot in the auction. By unanimous decision, Mindy was given the last slot, #529, to sell Willie for Charlene.
When Willie, Mindy and Charlene stepped onto the auction floor together, a special aura took over the entire arena. The bidding went on for what seemed like an eternity. When the smoke cleared and the bidding stopped, with add-ons Willie had brought in $8,477.00!
When the gavel dropped ending the sale, Yucca Grange member Mindy Carner had given everyone in the Antelope Valley a real lesson in giving.
Some Grange members believe that the Grange Fair Program is only showing animals. On August 30, 2001, Mindy Carner taught everyone that giving is much more important than receiving. A special thank you to Craig and Karen Carner for raising such a great daughter.
Mindy, no one is laughing at you now. Thank you for teaching all of us a lesson in life and for being a part of our lives.
California State Grange
2101 Stockton Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95817
(916)454-5805
Not that we are asking for donations but knowing how generous Freepers can be, 100% of any money that is sent will go where it has been designated to go.
You're not the only one. It wasn't my title but maybe this thread will get more attention that way.
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