Photo by Bill Green Paul Cannada is getting ready to pucker up for Sunday's Kiss-A-Pig Contest. To raise money for diabetes research, Cannada auctioned his own handyman services for $100.

District 22W Lions Club Gov. Robert Disinger dared all district officers, including Cabinet Secretary Cannada, to participate in the upcoming Kiss-A-Pig Contest.

"I accepted the challenge and asked a couple of people in my club to be a committee to raise some funds for me," said Cannada, a Thurmont resident

In conjunction with the contest, a Diabetes Walk to raise funds will be held in Baker Park on Oct. 11.

At last count, Cannada said, he has raised more than $1,500. The Lion said he didn't have a particular goal in mind.

"I got into it mainly to see what we could raise for diabetes awareness, and have some fun, too," he said.

The contest allows the person who raises the most money to kiss the pig on the nose, he said.

"The candidate that raises the least money will have the exclusive honor of kissing the pig's structure at the other end of its nose," Diabetes Chairman Donna Jackman said.

According to Jackman, the first insulin was derived from pigs, leading the diabetic world to consider them special animals.

With five district officers and three other district Lions participating, Cannada is working hard to collect funds for diabetes.

The Lions Club had an online auction, during which nine or 10 items were sold that people donated to the cause.

"They actually auctioned me off at the club one night," he said. "I got $100."

The rest of Cannada's auction merchandise raised about $640.

Jackman said contestants solicited funds from friends, family and businesses. "Anyplace they can get a penny from," she said.

"Hopefully (the Lions will) raise maybe around $10,000," Cannada said. "More would be better."

One hundred percent of funds the Lions collect from the Kiss-A-Pig Contest will go to diabetes research.

Jackman offered to kiss the pig's backside if the Lions raise $12,000 for the contest. "I'll gladly do it," she said. "It wouldn't be the first time they've challenged me to do it."

Everyone wants to raise the most money to avoid kissing the porker's rump, but Cannada said that whether he makes the most or the least money, "it's really just a matter of raising money for the program."