There was good news and bad news for the eight folks that have been raising money for this year’s “Kiss the Pig for Literacy” campaign sponsored by Learn to Read.
Blue Cross Blue Shield executive Mike Hightower won the contest, raising over $17,000 in the process. However, Hightower was in the Bahamas meeting with Bahamian Ambassador and Vesctor President, John Rood. Consequently, Learn to Read Executive Director, Heather Corey, and event emcee Philip Green decided that the other contestants would all have to pucker up to “Meyer” — the Vietnamese pot-bellied pig that served as a last-second replacement for “Yoda” who also no-showed the event. The contestants also had to put on yellow ties in honor of Hightower’s customary garb of blue oxford with a white collar and yellow tie.
Corey said overall, this year’s campaign raised almost $42,000, easily topping last year’s mark of $33,000. Runner-up to Hightower was Julie Pope of Ironwood Productions with a little over $15,000.
The Kiss the Pig campaign is in its 13th year and Corey said this year’s totals are great considering some of the circumstances that occurred during the campaign.
“We had three major hurricanes and two deaths that affected the campaign,” said Corey. “I am very proud of all of our candidates.”
Others participating included Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Akin Ayodele, Steven Browning of Spohrer, Wilner, Maxwell & Matthews, City Council President Kevin Hyde, Greg Miller of Shands Jacksonville, Teala Milton of JEA and Ann Shorstein of Florida Coastal School of Law.