The largest fundraiser of the year for American Diabetes Association, Kiss-a-Pig, gets under way in Effingham County with Randy Shearouse’s Campaign Kick-Off Event on March 3 at 5 p.m. at the Effingham County Recreation and Parks gym on Highway 119 in Springfield during the Taste of Effingham.

A regional contest between community leaders to raise money, Kiss-a-Pig, enjoys popularity among area locals.  This year’s campaign will include candidates from South Carolina and communities throughout southeast Georgia.

The 2011 theme, “Swine Wars,” is a spoof of the ever-popular Star Wars franchise.

In 2009, Troy Alford, representing the Effingham Board of Education was the first ever Kiss-A-Pig candidate from Effingham County. His campaign managers were Bev Donaldson with South Effingham Middle School and Michelle Brinson, Atlantic Southern Bank. Over the course of his campaign $11,000 was raised.

This year, Effingham County Superintendent and Chamber President Randy Shearouse, is hoping to “Kiss the Pig.” Shearouse hopes to unseat Beaufort County, S.C., by engaging the schools and community-at-large in his quest to buss the bacon.

For the past two years, Beaufort County has won. In 2010, Beaufort Memorial Hospital CEO, Dr. Rick Toomey, won by raising $21,000.

In 2009, Beaufort Mayor, Billy Keyserling, won by raising $27,000.