WEST LIBERTY, IA- Eastern Iowa Auction Company, owned and operated by Donovan and Sara Yoder of Atalissa have donated $20,000 to the Event Center at the Muscatine County Fair.

The Yoders live north of Atalissa on a farm and have two children, Emma and Blake. In addition to the auction company, they farm and raise row crops and hogs.

Donovan Yoder is a professionally trained auctioneer who started auctioning at a young age, and his business has grown over the years. Eastern Iowa Auction Company started in 2016, and they have a spring and fall sale in March and August each year. They also host hay sales once a month November through March just north of Atalissa. Donovan also donates his auctioneering services to charities and fundraisers all throughout Muscatine County and surrounding communities.

“We are so lucky to have Donovan and his family involved with the fair. They are critical in helping the fair be a success. They are a great family who are always willing to help out. We are also so fortunate that he donates his auctioneering services for all the fundraisers here at the fair and for events out in the community.” Said Kelsey Meyers, Muscatine County Fair Manager.

Donovan joined the fair board in 2014 and since then Donovan & Sara and the kids have volunteered many hours at the fair. Donovan brings in equipment each year to help make sure the track is ready for the grandstand events each night, and each day Blake is right there beside him working. Emma has worked countless hours in the fair office helping make sure things are flowing smoothly, and Sara helping with many of the behind-the-scenes tasks. Donovan and Sara both have served on several committee’s at the fair too.

The new event center will have space for 4-H clubs and FFA Chapter’s to host meetings and fundraisers throughout the year. It will also be where the 4-H and FFA static projects will be housed during the fair.

“I think it’s important to give back,” said Donovan. “The people throughout the county have been good to me. They support my business and it’s a way for me to say thank you. The new event center will benefit my kids, but also the kids of my friends and customers.”

The Yoders are one of the many families stepping forward to give to the project and fundraising has topped $1,069,000 with a goal to reach $2,000,000.

“The project is progressing on schedule to break ground in March, and the fundraising success has given us a huge boost. I want to thank Donovan and Sara for their gift and for all they do for everyone in West Liberty and the surrounding communities, and the fair.” Said Kelsey Meyers, Muscatine County Fair Manager.

To make a donation or to sponsor an area of the project, contact Kelsey Meyers at the Muscatine County Fair Office at 319-627-2414 or at [email protected].