Published: September 17, 2008 09:04 am      

American Diabetes Association to host local fund-raising events

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon Rams football fans will have the opportunity to let off a little steam before the game between the hometown Rams and the visiting Belleville Althoff Crusaders Friday evening — all for the sake of charity.

As part of a fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Association, Dents for Diabetes will begin at 5 p.m. Friday prior to and continuing during the game, according to ADA chairman Dick Jones.

By purchasing a ticket, you can swing a sledge hammer at a vehicle donated by Rick’s Towing in the H parking lot on the Mt. Vernon Township High School campus, adjacent to the football field.

Tickets are $2 per swing or $5 for three swings on the car.

For the past eight years, the ADA has held a walk fund-raiser as well as foster other fund raising efforts in Mt. Vernon to raise awareness in the fight against diabetes. This year during the fundraiser efforts, one of four winners can win a helicopter ride by the Air Evac Lifeteam.

This year’s annual Walk for Diabetes will be held at Mt. Vernon Veterans Park on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., according to Jones. But individual and organizational fund-raising efforts have been going on since June 1, Jones advised. Efforts include hosting piggy banks, in which local businesses sponsor a bank in the shape of a pig. If the business reaches its quota, then someone from the business can be appointed to kiss a pig at the walk. Other fund-raisers that have also been ongoing include lemonade stands and wrist band sales.

But perhaps the appeal to this year’s fund-raising efforts are the helicopter rides, in which a lucky child will get a chance to take a five-minute ride in a helicopter by the Air Evac Lifeteam located at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport.

A committee of four will choose the winner of the various events planned throughout the community, Jones said. Helicopter rides will be scheduled permitting weather and schedules, the Air Evac Lifeteam staff stated.

For further information about the walk or about organizing a fund-raiser, you may call Jones at 244-7775, Verla Johnson at 437-5318, Shelly Kenneth at 242-4897 or Joy Kridel at (888) 342-2383, ext. 6825.