By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

NORTH SHELBY—On Feb. 27, Oak Mountain Elementary School Principal Debbie Horton will kiss a pig. That is, if the school community meets the $68,000 Boosterthon fundraising goal.

Boosterthon is the OMES PTO’s largest fundraising event. OMES students and teachers helped the PTO kick off this year’s Boosterthon fundraiser with a pep rally on Feb. 18.

Themed “Rockin’ Town Live,” Boosterthon is a fundraiser focused on “fitness, leadership and character,” culminating in a “Fun Run” on Feb. 27, PTO member Melissa Franklin wrote in an email.

From Feb. 18 through 27, students collect pledges for the Fun Run. Classes and students are rewarded with fun activities, such as a pajama day and a stuffed animal day, as they gain more pledges.

On the day of the Fun Run, students will complete between 30 and 35 laps through a small course. Laps will have different themes to keep the event exciting and interesting.

“It’s not just straight running,” Franklin said. “They make it fun.”

In addition to being a fun, community event, Boosterthon is a key fundraiser for the PTO, allowing the group to continue funding their many projects at the school. The OMES PTO currently pays for the school’s copier lease, the computer lab technician and the Learning.com subscription, along with other initiatives, Franklin explained.

This year, the PTO is focusing on raising money to support the school’s project to become a Leader in Me school and “take (teachers) to training this summer,” Franklin said.