Squealers
by Lauren K. Ohnesorge
“Hambo” is prepping to pucker.
Hambo the pig, selected in October, will soon get the chance to kiss several volunteers, and all for a good cause.
The High Country United Way Big Pig Kiss-off brings Ray's Weather's Ray Russell, Avery County Schools Superintendent David Burleson, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank's Susan Norris, Rotary governor Bill Parker, United Way's Dick Hearn, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation's Julie O'Dell-Michie, the Watauga Democrat's Tom Mayer, the Mountain Times' Frank Ruggiero and Mast General Store's Mary Wood to the lawn of Wells Fargo on Blowing Rock Road in Boone at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Creston-native Hambo is just part of the kiss-off. It's the challengers that make the event so special, said Linda Slade, fundraiser initiator and High Country United Way director.
“I decided it would be a lot of fun for anybody who wanted to challenge a group of their friends or colleagues or similar businesses,” Slade said.
If participants earn a set amount of money from donors, they agree to pucker up in the name of charity. Last year's event netted $36,000 and kisses from the likes of Mountain Times Publications publisher Gene Fowler and radio personality Mike Kelly.
Mayer, executive editor of the Watauga Democrat and first-time pig puckerer, isn't intimidated by last year's successes.
“I've never kissed a pig before,” he said, “but I'll do anything I can do for United Way.”
The public is invited and encouraged to witness the event.
HCUW contributes to 27 programs and 24 agencies in Watauga and Avery counties, including the Hospitality House and the Hunger and Health Coalition.
The Big Pig Kiss-off is part of HCUW's larger $550,000 campaign that ends in March.
Hambo the pig, selected in October, will soon get the chance to kiss several volunteers, and all for a good cause.
The High Country United Way Big Pig Kiss-off brings Ray's Weather's Ray Russell, Avery County Schools Superintendent David Burleson, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank's Susan Norris, Rotary governor Bill Parker, United Way's Dick Hearn, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation's Julie O'Dell-Michie, the Watauga Democrat's Tom Mayer, the Mountain Times' Frank Ruggiero and Mast General Store's Mary Wood to the lawn of Wells Fargo on Blowing Rock Road in Boone at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Creston-native Hambo is just part of the kiss-off. It's the challengers that make the event so special, said Linda Slade, fundraiser initiator and High Country United Way director.
“I decided it would be a lot of fun for anybody who wanted to challenge a group of their friends or colleagues or similar businesses,” Slade said.
If participants earn a set amount of money from donors, they agree to pucker up in the name of charity. Last year's event netted $36,000 and kisses from the likes of Mountain Times Publications publisher Gene Fowler and radio personality Mike Kelly.
Mayer, executive editor of the Watauga Democrat and first-time pig puckerer, isn't intimidated by last year's successes.
“I've never kissed a pig before,” he said, “but I'll do anything I can do for United Way.”
The public is invited and encouraged to witness the event.
HCUW contributes to 27 programs and 24 agencies in Watauga and Avery counties, including the Hospitality House and the Hunger and Health Coalition.
The Big Pig Kiss-off is part of HCUW's larger $550,000 campaign that ends in March.