Happy, the HOGtoberfest mascot, was busy last week, attending meetings with me and visiting participants in this year’s HOG & Kisses Contest. She did all she could to encourage the candidates to continue to raise support and awareness for Meadowlark Hills Foundation’s Good Samaritan Fund, leading up to HOGtoberfest on Thursday, Oct. 29, at Cox Bros. BBQ, 223 McCall Road.

During the HOG & Kisses Contest, five candidates are asked to solicit votes in the form of dollars to support the Fund. The contestant who raises the most votes/dollars will kiss a live (baby) hog shortly after 6 p.m. on Oct. 29. This year’s hog kissing candidates are: Lonnie Baker, Meadowlark Hills CEO; Lori Bishop, executive director at Flint Hills Volunteer Center; Bud Cox, co-owner of Cox Bros. BBQ and Coco Bolo’s; Vern Henricks, president and CEO of Greater Manhattan Community Foundation, and Kevin Lull, commercial lender at Intrust Bank.

As of Friday, Oct. 16, Kevin Lull had raised the most votes/dollars, with Vern Henricks nipping at his heels. Only $16 separated the two. Lonnie Baker is in third place, with Lori Bishop and Bud Cox holding the other two spots. 

It’s not too late to support the candidate of your choice! All donations are tax-deductible and support the Good Samaritan Fund. Donations for Lonnie may be placed in his jar at the Hospitality Desk. Donations for other candidates may be given to me, and I’ll make sure they are credited to your candidate, or you may vote online by clicking the HOG & KISSES CONTEST button at www.meadowlark.org.

In addition, all of the candidates’ donation jars will be on display at Cox Bros. BBQ on Oct. 29; votes/dollars will be accepted until 5:30 p.m. Online donations will be accepted through Oct. 28.