Central West student auctions goat at Big Fresno Fair to benefit injured correctional officers

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Central West student auctions goat to benefit injured correctional officers

Addison Hill has been taking care of McLovin' the goat for 10 months and she's donating her proceeds from the auction to help pay the medical bills of Juanita Davila and Malama Scanlan.

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- At the Big Fresno Fair, there's more than just food and carnival rides. There's also live performances from local artists, like nine-year-old Bergin Flores from Bullard Talent. Flores sang songs at the Save Mart Wine Garden and she'll be singing the national anthem ahead of the Sunday horse races.

And over in Ag-Venture Land, the animal auction at the fair included a touching act of charity by one of the young farmers. It raised money for a fund to support the correctional officers shot at the Fresno County Jail last month.

The goats from Central West High School are hungry. They have a good appetite and number 255 is up near 100 pounds after about 10 months under the care of Addison Hill. The high school junior got a little attached to her FFA project.

"She is very opinionated," Addison said. "She's very friendly. She's great."

Addison named the goat McLovin', but say she's really a "geep" because her hair was curly like a sheep's. But now it's shorn, and Saturday, Addison walked her "geep" one last time before auctioning her off to the highest bidder.

The money from these auctions usually goes to the kids who spent countless hours taking care of their animals to help with the next animal or for college. But Addison is donating her proceeds to the fund paying medical bills for injured correctional officers Juanita Davila and Malama Scanlan.

Addison's mom is also a CO and her co-workers feel like family. And Addison said family helps family.

"I lost my dad when I was five so I know what it's like to struggle," she said. "And I don't want their family to struggle. I want to help them as much as I can."

Scanlan is still in the hospital, but his family posted an update to Facebook saying he's much more comfortable this week and in the audience at the auction, Davila sat in awe of what Addison has done.

"I'm just really excited," Davila said. "No one's ever done that for me or for my partner, officer Scanlan, especially in a time like this and I'm just so proud of you."

"Thank you. Your mom and everyone, my family. Thank you. So proud of you doing this and just God bless you and thank you for your hard work and dedication."

And there's more. Fowler's Gavin Hollins has a huge hog up for auction next Saturday. Like Addison, he'll be donating the proceeds to the injured officer's fund.