High on the HOG

By Becky Fitzgerald on November 7, 2018

Our 5th annual FOOD, FRIENDS and FUNdraising event to benefit the Good Samaritan Fund generated $24,765.64 in revenue! This number is a few thousand less than 2017’s total, but more
sponsors, higher Cox Bros. BBQ sales, a generous 50/50 Raffle winner and fewer expenses equal a larger net profit ($21,897.53) than 2017’s tally ($20,985.23).

  Five financial advisors competed in the HOG & Kisses Contest, collectively raising a HOG-tastic $12,231.46. Board member Dave Nelson received “votes” totaling $6,625, with Matt Paquette and Melissa Gamino proving to be his closest competition. Nelson and Paquette are with Edward Jones; Gamino works at KS StateBank. Other contestants were Dillon Mack of Thrivent Financial and Lucy Williams of The Trust Company. These five are to be commended for raising money and awareness for the Fund.

   Nelson earns the title of BEST KISSER, as his total squeaked past that of previous winner Cindy Sloan by $45.

   Here are some other numbers from the day:

      50/50 Raffle: $6,000 (1200 tickets sold at $5/ea.)
      Corporate sponsorships: $4,300
      Cox Bros. BBQ donation: $869.18 (10% of the   

      day’s sales)
      Gift-in-kind sponsors: about $3,700
      Additional donations: $3,175

   The 50/50 Raffle prize drawing took place on Friday, Oct. 26, at Verna Belle’s Café. Resident Pat Neirnberger reached into the tumbler, and pulled out a ticket purchased by Kevin Lull, Commercial Relationship Manager at Intrust Bank and a member of Meadowlark’s Board of Trustees. Splitting the $6000 raffle “pot” 50/50, Lull’s prize is $3000. After posing for a photo and depositing his winnings at Intrust Bank, of course, he immediately donated all of 

the prize money to Meadowlark Foundation for the Good Samaritan Fund.

   “I have no regrets handing over the check,” Lull said. “The Good Samaritan Fund is a great cause, and I’m happy to support it. I know this money will be in good hands.”

   The day of event was cloudy and rainy, but despite the day-long drizzle, Cox Bros. BBQ experienced the best HOGTOBERFEST sales yet, surpassing the previous year’s total by about $1000. The restaurant’s donation to the Good Samaritan Fund is $869.18. Thank you to everyone who purchased delicious food and drink!

   Meadowlark Foundation also appreciates our event sponsors: Blueville Nursery, Briggs Auto, Manhattan Broadcasting, Meritrust Credit Union, McCullough Development, Burnett Automotive, Flint Hills Beverage, GoPowercat.com, NZone, and ArtCraft Printers. Thank you, too, to several staff and resident volunteers. Your assistance helped ensure our time at Cox Bros. BBQ was rewarding in many ways.