By By Adam Prestridge
There are many things people have done to raise money for the American Cancer Society, but the latest fundraiser took home the bacon, literally.
Thursday, Atmore Community Hospital Respiratory Therapy Director Darren Flott set aside his dislike of pork for the cause as he puckered up to a pig in front of dozens of his coworkers after winning the hospital’s “Kiss a Pig” contest.
The event raised $1,180 for the hospital’s Relay for Life team, which also held an ice cream social following the event.
ACH Administrator Bill Perkins, who finished the contest in third place, said the event proved to be a success and fun for everyone on the hospital staff.
Perkins added that the “Kiss a Pig” contest was the largest fundraiser for Relay for Life.
Despite his hesitation to kiss the pig, Flott was a good sport, giving a speech thanking his “supporters.”
Flott went onto say he personally knows several individuals that have had to battle cancer adding that he is “proud” of the ACH family for “stepping up to the plate and raising the bar” to help others in the community.
Perkins teased Flott prior to him kissing the pig asking that he do it a second time to help “build morale” among the nursing staff that was unable to attend the event. Flott declined after going in for a quick peck seconds later.
Flott’s total raised was $252 with Felicia Lyles coming in second place with $245 and Perkins rounded out the Top 3 with $90 raised. Other contestants that participated included Dr. Arcement ($85), Dr. Yoder ($40), Renee Henderson ($25), Caroline Hayles ($23), Dr. Bannon and Dr. Patacsil ($20 each), Keith Strickland and Melanie Styles ($15 each), Dr. Ates, Dr. Bhadkamkar, Dr. Dixon, Dr. Orth, Amy Davis, Rhonda Linam and Donna Rogers ($10 each) and Tracy King ($5). There was also a general donation in the amount of $275 made.
Donations were deposited into piggy banks participants had, which determined who would kiss the pig.
For more photos from the event, log onto atmorefocus.com. You can also comment on the event on The Advance’s Facebook page.