Pucker Power Prevails

Twenty-five community leaders, professionals, and teachers had the privilege of kissing a pig for a worthy cause at TruMark Financial’s Fourth Annual Kiss-a-Pig Financial Literacy Fundraiser. Monies raised will support efforts to provide personal finance education and resources to local schools. Over the past four months, participants secured sponsors and donations to raise more than $45,000 for the opportunity to kiss a pig in support of
financial literacy.

Fundraising efforts culminated with a “pig kissing” event on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at the Piazza at Schmidt’s, 1015 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, where family, friends, students and colleagues of the participants cheered them on as they puckered up with a pot-bellied pig named Bubbles. Valerie Knight, radio personality from WOGL 98.1 FM, was the emcee for the event, joined by the WOGL Street Team to provide music and entertainment. Jim Donovan, consumer reporter for CBS 3 Philadelphia also was on hand to share a few words about the importance of educating our youth about money management and personal finance.

Participants in the Fourth Annual TruMark Financial Kiss-a-Pig Financial Literacy Fundraiser included:

· Gregory Bruce, La Salle University

· Peter Buchsbaum, Petethemortgageguy.com

· Lisa Ciaranca Kaplan, Andrew Jackson Elementary School

· Anthony Devlin, Director of Pupil Services, Neshaminy School District

· Genevieve E. Endy-O’Kane, Stephen Decatur School

· Jason Friedman, Colonial Nissan

· Tiffany Hileman, Target Media

· Karen Frebowitz, George Washington High School

· Bruer Kershner, Kershner Office Furniture

· John LaSalle, Universal Credit Services

· Virginia Kownurko, Central Bucks East High School

· Kelly McClain, TruMark Financial

· John McDonald, KSM Architects

· Gene McLaughlin, Baldi Middle School

· Dee Simone-Schall, Horatio B. Hackett School

· David Miller, Bensalem High School

· Aidan O’Halloran, TruMark Financial

· Lilibeth Ramirez, Asociación Puertorriqueños En Marcha

· Efrain Rodriguez, SEPTA

· Trudy Sanabor, TruMark Financial

· Yoni Schwartz, KYW Newsradio

· Dr. Neil Theobald, Temple University

· Father John Babowitch, Our Lady of Calvary School

· Dina McCaffery, William Tennent High School

· Jaclyn Ferry, St. Jerome School

The youngest participant this year was Aidan O’Halloran, a third-grade student at Richboro Elementary School in Richboro, Pa. Aidan raised over $2,000 through a variety of fundraising events including a Coach Bag Bingo. Aidan is already planning his fundraising strategy for next year. His father, Patrick O’Halloran, senior vice president of information technology at TruMark Financial, says that Aidan learned about Kiss-a-Pig from my involvement and wants to try to get kids his age involved to raise awareness of the Kiss-a-Pig event and how it helps kids in area schools learn important lessons about managing money.”

This year’s fundraising goal has been surpassed with more than $45,000 in donations received to date. The top fundraiser this year was Lilibeth Ramirez of Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, with more than $4,000 in donations. “I participated in Junior Achievement when I was working in New Jersey, so I’m passionate about kids and finance,” said Ramirez. She continued, “TruMark Financial’s work to further financial literacy is very valuable…the earlier financial literacy education starts, the better the outcomes.”

As a result of all the Kiss-a-Pig participants’ efforts, twelve area schools will receive grants to provide textbooks, workbooks, and other resources to teach the fundamentals of saving, borrowing, and investing. With the benefit of personal finance instruction, these students will be able to make informed financial decisions

Pictured: Anthony Devlin, Director of Pupil Services, Neshaminy School District, puckers up for a kiss with Bubbles, a pot-bellied pig, at TruMark Financial’s Fourth Annual Kiss-A-Pig Financial Literacy Fundraiser on Oct. 1, at the Piazza at Schmidt’s. Monies raised support financial literacy in local schools.