Sometimes great ideas come from great hardship. Such was the case for Madi King, who has turned her extensive medical journey into an opportunity to help others.
That vision was realized at the Logan County Fair Tuesday night, July 11, during the costume class. For the second year in a row, the event was used as a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Madi, a 24-year-old accountant who lives outside of Bellefontaine, said, “I got this idea from a show the Ohio BEST program puts on (through the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association),” which used the costume class to gather funds for Make-A-Wish.
“I have always loved the idea of raising money to grant a kid a wish and wanted to bring it to our hometown.”
Her desire to help kids comes from the health struggles Madi and her brother endured due to craniosynostosis and Chiari malformation. Their multiple surgeries earned the siblings their own dream trip through another similar organization.
So, to pay it forward, she brought the idea to the Logan County Fair with the support of Women United, of which she’s a member. They call it the Wardrobe Wranglin’ Show.
The costume class offers 4-H livestock exhibitors a chance to dress up themselves—and their animals. Tuesday night saw everything from Bambi to Jurassic Park to Harry Potter.
Madi has been delighted to see the event grow since it started in 2021, from three to seven to 24 participants. Best of all, they raised more money this year too.
The final tally in 2022 came to $1,300. This year, they have $3,200 … and more is coming in. Which means they’re getting closer to reaching Madi’s next goal: enough money to grant one kid’s wish, which averages between $8,000 and $10,000.
“I think the participants love it,” Madi said. “It’s for a great cause … and the kids love to dress up.”
Madi King, forefront, watches over the cattle division of the Wardrobe Wranglin’ Show, at the Logan County Fair on Tuesday, July 11. “It’s fun to be in and fun to watch,” said participant Lincoln Roell, who, with his cow Hot Rod, dressed up as the Hamburglar. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
Tuesday night’s Wardrobe Wranglin’ Show at the Logan County Fair had four divisions and a winner was chosen from each one: Rabbits/poultry—a hotdog/popcorn vendor; Goats—Ghostbusters; Swine—Cincinnati Reds; and Cattle—Thing 1 and Thing 2. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
(EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)