Jane Parker's tale of successful Heifer fundraiser at Fountain Lake

The Fountain Lake "Stride for the Hide" was quite a Donation EXTRAVAGANZA, as the last two words of "Stide for the Hide" stood for Heifer International Donation Extravagana.  They raised over $5,000. !!!   The funny and fun time was the build up after the walks, with all the elementary (K--4) kids on the parking lot, cheered on by teacher Barbara Niven.  The teachers had each pledged to kiss a pig if the classes had raised X amount.  So the build up began...  Was $1,000 raised?  Yes!  Ms. Casey has to kiss the pig!   YEahh and "Sowie Pig" calls from the high school helpers!!!  And so it went, $1,500?  $2,000; $2,500?; etc.  Finally to $5,000.? Then the Principal kissed the pig!   Lots of cheers and hog calls.   The pig was actually a cut little black pig, even had a very black snout.  

 

After that the envelope of money was turned over to Andiana Garcia DeVun, who came from headquarters to receive the money for Heifer International.  Adraina is on the America's team, and particularly involved in the South American projects.  She is also the daughter-in-law of Barbara Niven, the gifted and talented coordinator at FLS.  She said the money would be designated for the Seeds of Hope project in Arkansas. Then  I wasprivledged to present a book from Sarah Donaghy to the school library.  Sarah had sent the wonderful book, Beatrice's Goat, which Beatrice had autographed. 

 

After all the cheering and hog calling one last big deal ws left, which the kids really loved. Elementary Coach Blees had pledged that he'd allow his head to be shaved if over $5,000 was raised...and it was!  So a razor with a 50 ft. extension cord was brought out and his hair was ceremoniosly removed by the elementary principal, MS. Stacy Smith.  It ended up in a mohawk.

 

It was fun to watch the teachers and kids and the pig. You missed out by not going to cheer the walk-a thon.  I hope to get some photos from some of the teachers.  There should be some in the Village Voice this next week  Kathy White could not come, but sent another reporter. 

 

Sincere thanks to Dave Nottrott and Paul Anderson for setting up the Heifer booth, and manning it early in the day.  Then Carol Gardner took over for several hours and had a great manner with the little kids.  Some of the 4th grade "steering committe" students were quite helpful handing out animal stickers and pins. Sarah Donahy had sent pencils too, so all the little ones got something for walking the quarter mile track, which on that sunny, very windy day, was not easy for them. 

 

The Cuter Morning Star Heifer fund raiser is a barbeque dinner on May 8th.  Dave Nottrott has tickets ($7.00 each).  All proceeds from that will go to Heifer.  The middle school and high school has been involved in learning about Heifer and have done some artwork that we may be able to use at the Living Gift Market next November.