By Patty Leon
Coastal Courier (Hinesville, GA) Staff Writer
pleon@coastalcourier.com
The team representing Liberty County and Hinesville during the American Diabetes Association’s annual Kiss-A-Pig Campaign can be proud.
No, local candidate Angela Powell did not win the chance to kiss the porker But her team raised $106,311 for the ADA — the most ever by a local contender, according to Liberty County Chamber of Commerce Director Kenny Smiley.
The team representing the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System took first place, raising $114,902 and earning their candidate, Dr. Thomas Lockamy, the privilege of kissing Lulu.
The announcement was made — and the smooch took place — Saturday during a gala on Tybee Island where humans and swines were decked out in their best pirate duds in honor of the “Piglets of the Caribbean” theme.
Powell, of Exit Team Realty in Hinesville, was pleased with the local effort.
“Last year, we raised around $85,000 and this year we broke the $100,000 mark and that makes us all winners,” she said. “This community really came together and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
The fourth annual clay shoot hosted at the Dorchester Shooting Preserve was honored during the gala for being the single largest fundraising event in Southeast Georgia.
The clay shoot contributed around $72,000 toward the campaign for the Hinesville/Liberty team.
With several hundred pirates and people in attendance, Powell and her team also received awarded a trophy for their efforts and were given special recognition due in part to their enthusiasm and the ongoing commitment to the Kiss-A-Pig Campaign.
The team was also the first to announce their candidate for the 2008 event.
Danny Creasy was chosen as the candidate for next year’s campaign because of his commitment to fundraising activities during this year’s events.
“He was very involved with the events in raising funds for the ADA and was instrumental in the success of the Dorchester Clay Shoot, so we knew he would be a great candidate for next year,” Smiley said.
The gala began with a silent auction, followed by a dinner provided by North Beach Grill. Pirates and revelers enjoyed the entertainment provided by “Nickel Bag of Funk” who rocked the gala until the wee hours, when all the little pirates and piggys made their way home.
About diabetes
Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease, killing more than 220,00 Americans each year. Known as a silent killer, because people may not experience any symptoms during the early stages, it is the leading cause of heart disease and stroke, adult blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputations. The Kiss-a-Pig Campaign is one of the ADA’s most successful fundraising campaigns honoring the pig because of its roll in the development of insulin used in humans to combat the disease.
Themes sought
The theme for next year’s event has not been finalized and the ADA is seeking ideas.
“We are looking for something timely that taps into popular culture and the collective consciousness, something hip,” ADA Regional Director Maria Center said.
Theme suggestions can be sent to her via email at mcenter@diabetes.org. Past themes have been: James Bond — The Hog Who Loved Me and Sow Pacific (from the movie, “South Pacific”).
Coastal Courier (Hinesville, GA) Staff Writer
pleon@coastalcourier.com
The team representing Liberty County and Hinesville during the American Diabetes Association’s annual Kiss-A-Pig Campaign can be proud.
No, local candidate Angela Powell did not win the chance to kiss the porker But her team raised $106,311 for the ADA — the most ever by a local contender, according to Liberty County Chamber of Commerce Director Kenny Smiley.
The team representing the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System took first place, raising $114,902 and earning their candidate, Dr. Thomas Lockamy, the privilege of kissing Lulu.
The announcement was made — and the smooch took place — Saturday during a gala on Tybee Island where humans and swines were decked out in their best pirate duds in honor of the “Piglets of the Caribbean” theme.
Powell, of Exit Team Realty in Hinesville, was pleased with the local effort.
“Last year, we raised around $85,000 and this year we broke the $100,000 mark and that makes us all winners,” she said. “This community really came together and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
The fourth annual clay shoot hosted at the Dorchester Shooting Preserve was honored during the gala for being the single largest fundraising event in Southeast Georgia.
The clay shoot contributed around $72,000 toward the campaign for the Hinesville/Liberty team.
With several hundred pirates and people in attendance, Powell and her team also received awarded a trophy for their efforts and were given special recognition due in part to their enthusiasm and the ongoing commitment to the Kiss-A-Pig Campaign.
The team was also the first to announce their candidate for the 2008 event.
Danny Creasy was chosen as the candidate for next year’s campaign because of his commitment to fundraising activities during this year’s events.
“He was very involved with the events in raising funds for the ADA and was instrumental in the success of the Dorchester Clay Shoot, so we knew he would be a great candidate for next year,” Smiley said.
The gala began with a silent auction, followed by a dinner provided by North Beach Grill. Pirates and revelers enjoyed the entertainment provided by “Nickel Bag of Funk” who rocked the gala until the wee hours, when all the little pirates and piggys made their way home.
About diabetes
Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease, killing more than 220,00 Americans each year. Known as a silent killer, because people may not experience any symptoms during the early stages, it is the leading cause of heart disease and stroke, adult blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputations. The Kiss-a-Pig Campaign is one of the ADA’s most successful fundraising campaigns honoring the pig because of its roll in the development of insulin used in humans to combat the disease.
Themes sought
The theme for next year’s event has not been finalized and the ADA is seeking ideas.
“We are looking for something timely that taps into popular culture and the collective consciousness, something hip,” ADA Regional Director Maria Center said.
Theme suggestions can be sent to her via email at mcenter@diabetes.org. Past themes have been: James Bond — The Hog Who Loved Me and Sow Pacific (from the movie, “South Pacific”).