Blogger's Note: The following is a slightly re-written press release from the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, which operates the Ricketts Community Center.
POTTSTOWN -- If you've ever wondered what it's like to kiss a pig, you might want to visit your local Boscov's and ask around for Mike Lee.
Lee, a manager for Boscov's, will represent Pottstown in Wednesday's annual Kiss A Pig Contest fundraiser, which raises money for the Olivet Boys & Girls Club in Berks County, which also operates Pottstown's own Ricketts Community Center on Beech Street.
Although Lee hopes to be the first contestant from Pottstown to win, he faces some tough competition this year.
Although Lee hopes to be the first contestant from Pottstown to win, he faces some tough competition this year.
On Wednesday evening, Feb. 22, more than 100 friends of Olivet Boys & Girls Club will come together in the gym at the Club’s Oakbrook unit on Pershing Boulevard to provide enthusiastic support for the new “Kiss A Pig” Contest contestants.
Some former Kiss A Pig candidates along with about 70 kids who are members of the Oakbrook Club and Maycie May, a young potbellied pig, will be on hand to make sure the ten business and community leaders who are this year’s contestants get off to a great start.
The idea was born in 1994.
To date, the annual “Kiss A Pig” Contest has raised $1.7 million for the kids and Kiss A Pig contestants will compete to raise the most money for Olivet Boys & Girls Club through May 23.
Some former Kiss A Pig candidates along with about 70 kids who are members of the Oakbrook Club and Maycie May, a young potbellied pig, will be on hand to make sure the ten business and community leaders who are this year’s contestants get off to a great start.
The idea was born in 1994.
To date, the annual “Kiss A Pig” Contest has raised $1.7 million for the kids and Kiss A Pig contestants will compete to raise the most money for Olivet Boys & Girls Club through May 23.
“The kickoff event is about as casual as you can get,” said Jeffrey M. Palmer, Olivet Boys &; Girls Club’s President and CEO.
“It is fun and lighthearted for kids of all ages, but the mission for which the Kiss A Pig candidates are raising money is certainly one we take seriously.”
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| Pottstown's Ricketts Community Center |
“It is fun and lighthearted for kids of all ages, but the mission for which the Kiss A Pig candidates are raising money is certainly one we take seriously.”
This year, Olivet Board Chair Pat Shields, will moderate a mock press conference during which the candidates will be asked questions concerning their plans to raise money and kiss the pig.
Six teen Club members who have been elected to represent their Club as “Youth of the Year” finalists as a result of their service to the Club and to the community will enjoy their first opportunity to speak in front of a large gathering.
Six teen Club members who have been elected to represent their Club as “Youth of the Year” finalists as a result of their service to the Club and to the community will enjoy their first opportunity to speak in front of a large gathering.
Contestants vie with each other each year to raise the most money to kiss the pig in front of an audience of close to 500 during the annual Steak& Burger Dinner.
Monies raised support the Club’s mission of enabling children and teens between the ages of 6 and 18 to grow into healthy, productive and responsible citizens. Olivet Boys& Girls Club serves nearly 4,000 at-risk youth at nine locations in Reading and one location in Pottstown.
Monies raised support the Club’s mission of enabling children and teens between the ages of 6 and 18 to grow into healthy, productive and responsible citizens. Olivet Boys& Girls Club serves nearly 4,000 at-risk youth at nine locations in Reading and one location in Pottstown.
The other contestants include dentist Dr. Joseph E. Blackburn, Bob Bereschak from Stratix Systems, Virginia Dodge of VA Productions; John Gallen, President of EthoSource; Eric Schippers representing Penn National Gaming; Rob Wolf of Launch, DM, Jim & April Giuffrida, owners of The Railroad House, Kristi Gage of Gage Personnel, and Craig Poole, General Manager at the Crowne Plaza Reading.
All the candidates are hoping to raise enough money to beat the Kiss A Pig Contest record held by Sandy Solmon of Sweet Street Desserts, who raised nearly $90,000 for the Club in 2006.
The public is invited to attend the kickoff.
Call the Club at 610-373-1314 to register.
Olivet Boys & Girls Club is a chartered member of Boys & Girls Clubs of America serving 3,372 members and thousands of additional youth and their families through outreach activities at nine locations in Reading and a unit in Pottstown.
The Club’s mission is “To enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as healthy, caring, productive, responsible citizens.” For more information on Olivet Boys & Girls Club visit www.olivetbgc.org or call 610-373-1314.
The Club’s mission is “To enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as healthy, caring, productive, responsible citizens.” For more information on Olivet Boys & Girls Club visit www.olivetbgc.org or call 610-373-1314.
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