Heart Walk Fundraisers in High Gear on Southern Miss Hattiesburg Campus

The deadline is approaching to contribute to the “Kiss a Pig” contest, giving University of Southern Mississippi students, faculty and staff a chance to support a great cause while bidding for a campus leader to be chosen to kiss a live pig.

 In support of this year's annual Start! Heart Walk, set for Saturday, Sept. 25 at the university's Pride Field, members of the university community will choose a campus celebrity in the “Kiss a Pig” fundraiser with the winner kissing a live pig Friday, Sept. 17 before the Golden Eagles' home football game against the University of Kansas. All proceeds benefit the American Heart Association.

Votes for the celebrities can be made by putting monetary donations in jars representing the contestants, which will be placed at the library plaza Sept. 7-10 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. and in Shoemaker Square Sept. 13-17 from 10:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.The celebrity contestant with the largest donation total wins.

Celebrities in the Kiss a Pig contest include Southern Miss President Martha Saunders; Provost Bob Lyman; Vice President for Student Affairs Joe Paul; University Police Chief Bob Hopkins; and Vice President for Advancement Bob Pierce. The competition culminates on Century Lawn where the winner will kiss the pig prior to Eagle Walk.

Another way the campus community can support Start! Heart Walk and the American Heart Association is the “Pass the Bacon” contest, which runs through Sept. 17. Held in conjunction with the “Kiss a Pig” contest, faculty and staff pass decorated pigs to offices across campus with the goal of raising funds for the Heart Walk. When the faculty/staff member has paid $5 to have the pig removed from their desk, their name will be placed in a drawing for prizes. 

For more information, contact your Heart Walk team captain for details, or contact Patricia Linton at 601.266.5767. To learn more about the Start! Heart Walk, online visit www.forrestlamarheartwalk.org.