Notices

Local newspaper columnists Don Leighton and Mike Granlund, otherwise known as "Lance and Billy", with the help of many great people, have embarked on a venture that can help those less fortunate.

The readers of the Lance and Billy column and the citizens formerly of our area who still reside in Douglas County are some of the most generous when it comes to helping others. Everybody has their favorite cause, but you will agree the campaign they have started is one that cannot be ignored.

Are you aware that 49 percent of all students in the Superior school district get free or reduced breakfast and lunch? Are you aware spring and early summer are very lean times for area food shelves? Do you know what it feels like when you don't know where your next meal is coming from? Are you aware how lucky it is that most of us are able to help others in need?

There have been food drives and there have been weight loss efforts throughout the years.

Lance and Billy are combining them with a goal to raise at least $10,000 for Superior and Douglas County food shelves. Money collected from incredible corporate sponsors and pledges made by their great readers in the weight loss part will set up accounts in Superior and Douglas County served by Second Harvest. Due to agreements with major U.S. food companies, the food bank is able to distribute $10 worth of food for every $1 we are able to give them. All money collected through donations, pledges, corporate partnerships and other activities go to purchase food for local food shelves. All of the food collected during the food drives will be donated to the food shelves not served by the Second Harvest.

The weight loss pledge is simple: You can e-mail Lance, a.k.a. Don Leighton, at dleigh1273@aol.com or send pledges, payable to Hunger Takes No Holiday, to the Chamber of Commerce, 205 Belknap St., Superior WI 54880. Let them know how much weight you want to lose, and send $1 for every pound pledged. By doing this, you have incentive to lose and you are contributing to the welfare of others.

With generosity beyond compare, the YMCA and three Super One Food Stores in Superior allowed Lance and Billy to use their facilities for food drives held in February. Mike Kraft at the Y and Super One's Tom O'Neill are excited about helping people of our area and took the bull by the horns to help the cause. Nonperishable food items were collected at these locations.

Other corporate giants include Campbell Lumber, Wolff's Flower Shop, Superior Glass, Superior Water, Light and Power, Kintop Family Chiropractic, Play it Again Sports, Sauter Fairchild, UWS, WITC, and the Superior school district.

School Superintendent Janna Stevens, Celia Tarnowski of WITC, Melissa Nelmark and Krisi Patterson of UWS, Gina Grensing of the National Bank of Commerce and Dave Minor, the president and chief executive officer of the Chamber of Commerce are doing everything they can to make this endeavor a success. Web sites and links will be set up, other events are planned for the duration of the fundraising to keep things lively and interesting, and prizes will be awarded from drawings for those participating in the weight loss portion.

The YMCA serves as the official site for the initial weigh-in and helps monitor your progress. During the last week of June, when the program is wrapped up, our first effort to help people adopt a healthy lifestyle and feed the hungry, and begin planning to make this an annual event in which Lance and Billy are proud to be involved.

Lance and Billy have asked health and wellness, exercise and fitness, medical, and nutrition experts to assist, and they all jumped at the chance. Krisi Patterson of UWS, Cathi Austin of the YMCA, Dr. Pat Sura of the River Falls Medical Center, and Mary Mahan, registered dietician, will contribute tips to help readers attain and maintain a healthy life style and will be published in the Superior Telegram, along with progress reports.

Before you decide whether or not to join the program, Lance has challenged everyone to skip meals for 24 hours. Drink lots of water and eat if health is a concern but imagine what it is like for kids to go without food and not know when they'll have a meal. How do we expect them to learn in school? They are our future so for our future's sake, this is hopefully the easiest decision to make.