Can you bring home the bacon?:
Teachers are ready to pucker up for fund-raiser, but they need a pig
By Theresa Freeman/ Daily News Staff
Thursday, November 9, 2006
ASHLAND -- The high school student council is looking for a swine that is ready to pucker up. The students are organizing a "Kiss the Pig Contest" to collect money for the Ashland Emergency Fund, teacher and student council adviser Joshua Wiczer said yesterday. There's just one meaty problem -- they need a pig.
"We're not going to eat it, or hurt it, we just want to kiss it," said Ashland High librarian Suzanne Kenney, dubbed the event's "pig transportation coordinator." Anyone with a lead on a friendly pig who is free for a few hours later this month is asked to call Wiczer or Kenney at 508-881-0177. "We're going to treat it very well," said Wiczer. "All we need is one pig."
Starting Monday, at least 35 teachers will each have a jug in the high school cafeteria collecting money. The person whose jug collects the most money will have a date to kiss a hog Nov. 22, during the school's pre-Thanksgiving pep rally.
Inspired by similar successful fund-raisers at the high school years ago and at Henry Warren School this spring, a couple of teachers brought the idea to the student council, said Wiczer. Council board members president Jusna Perrin, vice president Michael Jorgenson, secretary Sarah Novak, treasurer Gerald Praysman and historian/publicity Lauren Upham liked the idea and are heading up the event.
"They all thought it would be a lot of fun," said Wiczer.
Anyone is able to make a donation to the contest. Cash and checks made payable to the Ashland Emergency Fund can be dropped off at Ashland High School, 65 East Union St. Donations can be earmarked for a particular swine suitor, Wiczer said.
Teachers who have signed up to give some lovin' to a pig include: Al Alley, John Bacon, Ron Campbell, Steve Coakley, Claire Freeman, Susan Furste, Marybeth Gallant, Kristina Gilbert, David Harrington, DJ Jost, John Kelley, Chad Kipp-McGowan, Nicole Lynch, Ted Miller, Steve Moshkovitz, France Murphy, Dana Plunkett, Karen Renaud, Len Rabinowitz, Chris Scott, Eric Scott, Nancy Simmons, Mark Stygles, Leah Sumner, Emily Welton, Josh Wiczer and Lauren Wolfe. Two teams are also signed up: Martha Thompson and Jane Holden; and Jennie Boylan and Chrissy Westhaver.
The Ashland Emergency Fund (www.ashlandemergencyfund.org) seemed like a natural choice to reap the benefits of the event after students worked to raise money for the fun during Ashland Day, said Wiczer. "We're told they always need the money," he said. Ashland Emergency Fund president John Ellsworth laughed when he heard the students' plans. "That is dynamite. I think that is a wonderful thing to do," said Ellsworth. "I admire their enthusiasm." During the winter holiday season the fund can quickly dole out up to $3,500, Ellsworth said.
The student council has also recently begun collecting canned foods for the Ashland Food Pantry.
(Theresa Freeman can be reached at 508-626-3919 or tfreeman@cnc.com.)
You can Donate Now through The Network for Good or donations can also be sent directly to The Ashland Emergency Fund, P.O. Box 112, Ashland, MA 01721.
For more information on volunteering or donating, contact John Ellsworth at 508-881-3404 or Youth and Family Services Director Susan Gauvin at 508-881-0109 ext. 18.
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