Beginning today, two of Statesboro's most recognizable faces will join forces in a battle against diabetes and vie for the honor of reaping an unusual reward.
      Georgia Southern Football Coach Jeff Monken and celebrity businessman Tim "Bubba" Hunt - owner of Car City - will lead a two-month fundraising effort with hopes of stealing a smooch from a portly pig.
      The 19th Annual American Diabetes Association (ADA) Kiss-a-Pig regional fundraiser will kick-off today at 4 p.m. on River Street in Savannah.
      Contestants will be announced during First Saturday on River Street at Rousakis Plaza - In case of rain, the campaign will kick off at the Harborside Room of the Hyatt.
      For the first time in the event's history, Bulloch County will be represented, as Monken, Hunt and the rest of the Statesboro team attempt to out-collect more than 15 other groups throughout the Coastal Empire.
      "For years, only the greater Savannah area has participated. This is the first year the Statesboro area has gotten involved. The area includes Bulloch, Screven, Evans and Candler Counties," said Broni Gainous, campaign manager for the Statesboro Team - Gainous works for Statesboro Parks and Recreation. "We really, really hope the celebrity of ‘Bubba' [Hunt] and Coach Monken can be used to benefit the American Diabetes Association. We hope that this effort really takes off."
      The participating teams' efforts will culminate May 7 at a celebratory gala, when the most successful fundraising group is granted the privilege of kissing the pig -The program uses a pig, said Gainous, because insulin, used to treat diabetes, was originally derived from the animal's pancreas.
      The fundraiser's two most recent winners have raised more than $20,000 - Beaufort Memorial Hospital CEO Rick Toomey raised $21,000 last year and Beaufort Mayor Billy Keyserling collected $27,000 in 2009.
      Hunt hopes the Bulloch County community can surpass both winning efforts.
      "We are not sure what to realistically expect," he said. "But our goal is to reach $30,000."
      Hinesville and the greater Liberty County area have held a similar event in recent years, he said, and collected more than $80,000.
      If the Statesboro team matches Hunt's goal, it could find itself the 2011 event winner, meaning Hunt and Monken will lock lips with the swine.
      "I would welcome the pig with open arms," said Hunt. "And I'm sure Coach Monken would too."

Cure for diabetes
      All money gathered as part of the annual ADA event - which is the association's largest fundraising effort of the year - will be used to find a cure for diabetes and improve the lives of people affected by the disease.
       According to the American Diabetes Association, 26 million Americans are living with diabetes and another 79 million are at risk for developing the disease - It is the nation's fifth deadliest disease, killing more than 220,000 Americans each year, and the leading cause of heart disease, stroke, adult blindness, kidney failure and non-traumatic amputations.
      "More than 5000 people are affected by diabetes in Statesboro alone," said Hunt. "We feel this is a cause that is important for us to draw attention to, and help work towards improving."
      "It only takes a couple of dollars to help," he said. "Instead of buying that two dollar soda or five dollar snack, save the money and put it towards a good cause."
      The Southeast Georgia/Coastal South Carolina American Diabetes Association and combined efforts of Kiss-a-Pig events have raised more than $3.5 million since 1993, according to the association.
      The inaugural Statesboro team has scheduled numerous community events to help collect community funds.
Today, Boston butts will be available for purchase between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. at The Daily Grind Coffee Shop on Savannah Avenue - The roasts are $20.
      Saturday, March 26, Georgia Southern Football staff, including Monken, will host a BBQ dinner at Hanner Fieldhouse from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Plates will sell for $10 and donators will be able to meet the coaches.
      Other events include: a Blue and White Spring Game Cook Out April 15, Motorcycle "Porker Run" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 16, BBQ lunch in Johnson Square in downtown Savannah April 20, another cookout May 5 and a Golf Tournament featuring GSU coaches at Forest Heights May 6.
      Anyone interested in supporting the Statesboro team can follow the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BullochCountyKissAPig, or visit www.diabetes.org/savannahkap, click the Statesboro team and donate.
      Money may also be contributed by calling 912-353-8110, ext. 3091 or 3093, with the designation to the Bulloch County team of Hunt and Monken.
      "While we would love to make $30,000 and blow everyone out of the water in our first year, raising awareness of diabetes is our main goal," said Gainous. "While so many people die of common causes, a lot of them are due to complications from diabetes."
      "We think this effort can really reach a lot of people," she said. "Almost everyone knows someone who has been affected by the disease."

      Jeff Harrison can be reached at 912-489-9454