Worthy Causes: The PIG Invitational Charity, Inc.

story and photography by Stephen Faure

What began as a post-golf-game barbecue in Beau Chêne has snowballed into one of the leading—and most fun—charitable events on the northshore.

In 1980, the late Ford Waters invited some of his friends and neighbors to play golf in Beau Chêne. The golfers enjoyed a post-game pig roast. The players had each kicked in $5 and the top three golfers shared the pot, with the best score receiving a ceramic pig trophy. The golfers began making charitable contributions the next year, and a charity was born. After the second year, the festivities outgrew the Chula Place cul de sac and have been held at the Beau Chêne club ever since.

The tourney became the Pig Invitational Charity, Inc. in 1983, and was recognized by the IRS as a non-profit organization. Known as the PIG, the tournament is held in September (on the 21st this year). Monies are generated from entry fees and a silent auction made possible from the generous donations of local individuals and businesses. Proceeds are donated to local charities, with over $225,000 donated thus far. PIG board members are Drew Gellepis, Peggy and Zach Heard, Melanie and Randy Roth, Jim Kiser, Paul Tucker, Rick Staggers, Elly Harper, Pete Burkhalter and Scot Rumsey.

Melanie Roth explains that the charity and tournament were little known outside of Beau Chêne until about five years ago, when the board began publicizing the event to the entire community with great results. “The last three years have been our most successful, allowing us to give over $50,000 to local charities,” she says.

Roth has high hopes for the PIG in 2007, the Chinese Year of the Pig. She recently received a call from a Vietnamese woman who informed her that this is not just the Year of the Pig. Certain celestial circumstances make this the Year of the Golden Pig, believed to be a year of incredible wealth, prosperity, luck and fertility!

PIGasso Wine Dinner and Art Auction

The first-ever PIGasso Wine Dinner and Art Auction, a new PIG-sponsored springtime fun and fund raising event, will be held Saturday, May 5, at Benedict’s in Mandeville. PIGasso features a five-course meal, each accompanied by a selected wine; live and silent art auctions; cigar bar; a sommelier; caricature artist; music by the Steppin’ Up String Trio and more. Major sponsors include Barlow Art Gallery, Benedict’s Restaurant and Martin Wine Cellar. Featured artists include Bill Hemmerling, RC Davis, Brad Thompson, Emery Clark and Michael Smiroldo. A featured special auction item is a train ride on the “City of New Orleans” for 20 people. PIGasso sponsorships are $65 per person or $480 for a table of eight. Contact Melanie Roth at (985) 845-4220 for information and reservations.

PIG’s current charitable
beneficiaries include:

•The Children’s Advocacy Center serves abused children throughout St. Tammany and Washington parishes. “Hope House,” the counseling center for children that fosters healing during a critical time, assists 35-45 abuse survivors and their families each week.

•SCAP, Special Children Are Privileged, serves the needs of special persons of all ages, from newborn to senior-citizen shut-ins with special needs. This includes meal preparation, transportation, appliances, clothing and other personal attention services.

•Fairhaven Ministry of Faith, Hope and Love has provided, since 1966, a stable home-like atmosphere for up to 45 children who come from broken homes and other environments in which their lives are often shattered. Complete with a chapel, gym, and carpentry and welding-mechanic shops, Fairhaven staff teaches and leads children to become self-sufficient and valuable citizens.

•The Samaritan Center provides counseling and financial aid to citizens in need in the Mandeville area. It is supported by local churches, fraternal and community organizations, and, through sales of donated merchandise at “Granny’s Attic” resale store, helps to fund its staff and facilities.

•The “I Think I Can” program at Covington Elementary is a new sponsorship for PIG. ITIC is a four-week home-learning program, developed by Dr. Kathleen Wiseman and other educators that targets students in grades K-3 in all St. Tammany Parish schools. Focusing on improving math skills and getting parents involved in their children’s education, ITIC has been proven to raise LEAP scores and other accountability measures. With higher scores, schools receive additional government funding. Covington Elementary is a school with a high percentage of at-risk children. The PIG intends to sponsor other schools in the system as funds become available.