The Sixteenth Annual Spiggy & Friends Charity Benefit will be held Sunday, Sept. 27 at the American Legion Post in Lusby. According to Dave ‘Spiggy’ Spigler, “Last year’s event was our most successful ever and more than $60 thousand in donations and gifts were realized through the great love and generosity of the caring people of Southern Maryland!”

Because of that success, Spiggy and friends were able to distribute funds to a greater number of organizations through out the region involved with the caring of our sick children.

“We provided Ronald McDonald House, Children’s Hospital, The United Way of Calvert, the Hollywood Rescue Squad and Solomons Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad with generous contributions,” said Spiggy. “We also provided additional monies to the American Cancer Relay for Life, Project Echo, the Solomons Optimist Club, the Knights of Columbus, and several local fundraisers for young people undergoing expensive medical procedures to help prolong their lives. Our 16-year grassroots effort now totals almost $500 thousand!”

The affable Hogette lamented that this year, most charitable efforts are suffering from very poor support. “I’m asking for your help to make a special effort this time as the number of children needing our help continues to grow!”

Sponsorships are available for the annual golf tournament and donations are being sought for items to include in the silent auction.

“No gift is too small to help a child smile,”said Spigler. “People can also donate gift certificates or cash donations to SPIGGY & FRIENDS.”

Spigler wanted to make sure that contributors know that everyone involved in the efforts is an unpaid volunteer. “During the Hogettes’ 25-year reign as the ‘Redskins Biggest Fans,’ we have been very fortunate to help raise over $130 million for our ‘Little Piglets’ and not one cent of this money went to any individual that participated in this great and necessary work!”

To give the cause a boost this year, the grassroots organization has added a motorcycle "Poker Run" hosted by CJs Backroom and organized by Chris and Darleen Bowen.

“I have purchased 125 ‘Pig on a Harley’ tee shirts to be sold the day of the Rally, Saturday, Sept. 26, and I obtained a 32 inch flat screen TV to be raffled that day. The second prize is two tickets and parking to a Redskins game against New Orleans. Darleen Bowen will have tickets at CJ's Backroom,” said Spiggy.
 
The Golf starts at 8 a.m. with tee off around 9 a.m. “We have Frank Herzog, Pat Fischer, Ron McDole, and Bob Windsor so far this year and may have one or two others. We sure can use more Hole Sponsorships for $100! If you know a merchant or maybe even your own employer, ask if they can help. Again it’s for charity and goes to supporting sick kids!”
 
Spiggy asks that anyone wishing to help with this year’s effort call him at (410) 326-2524.