Several hogs recently descended on Sampson County as United Way of Sampson County gears up for their summer “Go Hog Wild” event. The life-size fiberglass pigs were sponsored by many businesses and individuals in the community. The goal of this event is to raise awareness and funds for United Way while partnering with the community to promote agriculture and our local artists.

The hogs found temporary homes with their artists so they could work diligently to create their masterpiece. Sampson County is a mecca for talented artisans with 24 participating including: Lesley Allen, Guy Blackmon, Ben Brake, Wendy Carr, Diana Gore, Kristin Hairr, Deborah Harn, Grace Ho, Meredith Horne, Erica Jackson, Jennifer Jackson, Pam Langston, Margaret Malpass, Lila Maxwell, Mac Maxwell, Ginger McCullen, Ashlyn Melvin, Judy Naylor, Michael Ray, Sampson Middle School eighth grade art teacher, Megan Scronce and her students; also Kristie Slack, Caleb Thornton and Charles Anna Williams.

The pigs will be unveiled shortly at a private viewing for the sponsors and their artists. Then, they will be placed around the downtown court square area as well as some othe,r prominent sites around town for the entire community to enjoy. Five of the pigs will be auctioned off at the Court Square Street Fair in October.

The “Go Hog Wild “Committee consists of several dedicated community volunteers including co-chairs Janet Prestage and Wendy Carr ,as well as Chandee Champion, Hadley Daniel, Grace Ho, Dottie McCullen, Shawn Purdie, Janet Sargent and Sharon Spell.

Nancy Carr, executive director for United Way, hopes everyone will “go hog wild” this summer and enjoy viewing these amazing works of art.” I don’t think most people will have seen anything like it before.” She is quick to point out that her most important goal is “for the community to gain a clearer understanding of what United Way of Sampson County is and does for our community.

“We have raised more than $2 million over the years and what we raise stays right here in Sampson County to directly help our own residents in need,” said Carr. United Way helps provide local funding for the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, U Care, Sampson Crisis Center, 4-H, Christmas Cheer Program, Wheel Chair Assistance Program, Clinton Area Foundation for Education, Sampson County Friends of Education, Breast Cancer Awareness Program, Sampson County Fireman’s Association, and Fitness Renaissance Program. They also provided seed money to the Backpack Buddies program this year.