Every $1 makes a difference, a community

Groundhog Day is special in the United States and Canada. According to the National Weather Service, if it is cloudy in Punxsutawney, Pa., when Punxsutawney Phil — the groundhog — is enticed from his home, winter will soon end, and if it is sunny, Phil will see his shadow and skedaddle back to his burrow. Winter will continue for six weeks.

Big deal, six more weeks of a winter we haven’t had brings us to March 15.

Everyone knows about March 15, or the Ides of March. Julius Caesar supposedly died on this day in 44 BC. At least Caesar created his salad that still bears his name today.

More recently, the musical group from Berwyn, Ill., the Ides of March, had a smash hit in 1970. It was a great tune called “Vehicle” and reached No. 55 on the Billboard Top 100. Lead singer Jim Peterik was also a member of the group Survivor known for the 1982 hit “Eye of the Tiger,” which went double platinum and was the theme song for “Rocky 3.”

Even more recently, Bill Murray starred in the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day.” Murray plays a TV weatherman, awakens each morning and finds himself repeating the same day over and over again. This drives him over the edge, which causes Murray’s character to re-examine his life and priorities.

Don’t worry. This little history lesson of folklore, death, food, rock ‘n’ roll and movies is officially over.

Back to the present and a plight too many of our friends, relatives, co-workers, school mates and acquaintances face — hunger. What can we do about it?

With the help of some very good friends of Lance Boyle, a goal of collecting $25,000 to be presented to the Second Harvest Food Bank will become a reality. Providing the kick-off for our campaign, which runs Feb. 2-April 9, is Grizzly’s in Superior. Owner/Managing Partner Rick Lampton and his staff are celebrating Groundhog Day by contributing 15 percent of their food sales for the day. If that is not enough, the wait staff is contributing 100 percent of their tips to our campaign, Hunger Takes No Holiday III. The employees of Grizzly’s are some of the most incredible people I have ever met. During the past two years, Grizzly’s has raised more than $6,000, providing 30,000 meals for our area. Their generosity speaks volumes about their concern and compassion for others.

In addition to Grizzly’s, Superior High School students and Key Club Adviser Mike Matejka have come up with a great idea to get youth involved. This is Snow Week at the high school and students are helping raise money to present to Shaye Moris, director of Second Harvest and Lance with a check at the student assembly on Friday morning.

Mike explains it so well: “The Superior Key Club is the high school version of Kiwanis. Students who join Key Club are interested in volunteer work in our school and community. When we heard about Hunger Takes No Holiday, we thought it would be a perfect fit for our mission of community service …” Every student is asked to collect $1 or more from immediate neighbors, which means the students could help Second Harvest Food Bank rescue more than $40,000 worth of food for local food shelves. If students spend 10 minutes talking to their neighbors, we could double our goal.

“The SHS student body has the power to make a huge difference,” Mike said.

With 50 percent of students in the Superior School District on the free or reduced breakfast and lunch programs, the need in our community is tremendous. Mike Matejka and his students are willing to help their friends and fellow students by raising awareness and contributions to provide food for those going through rough times. What a great bunch of young people.

We are having other fundraising opportunities in which all can participate. The next article will talk of these events, the great committee members and business leaders who are giving of their valuable time and energy, and of more items related to Hunger Takes No Holiday III.

Check us out on Facebook at Hunger Takes No Holiday. If you have an idea how you, your business or organization can help, contact me at dleigh1273@aol.com or send your contribution to Hunger Takes No Holiday III, 205 Belknap St., Superior, WI 54880.

Hunger affects us all.

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