Pigs for the Pool!

Snapdragon owner Vicky Beckmeyer is creating piggy banks for a Dayton pool fundraiser

DAYTON-Business owners and citizens in Dayton are invited to have some fun with old-time piggy banks and help out the Dayton city pool at the same time.

Vicky Beckmeyer, owner of Dayton's Snapdragon Floral and Gifts, is working with the Dayton Chamber of Commerce on a fundraiser to help with the operation of the pool. She has made a variety of ceramic piggy banks for the project.

Twenty of the pigs will be painted and fired, and then placed in local businesses and offices, to be filled over the next few months.

"When the pool opens in June, we'll gather up the pigs, have a celebration to break them open, and then give the money to the pool," Beckmeyer said.

Beckmeyer also has created a variety of other piggy banks that can be purchased by anyone wishing to help with the fundraiser. The banks will cost $25, of which the pool will receive $20. The remainder will go toward the cost of supplies. People will be free to take their piggy banks home and keep them.

The public is invited to Snapdragon (207 E. Main in Dayton) this Saturday, from 10 a.m. to noon, to paint one of the pigs to be placed in local merchants, or to buy and paint one and take home.

She is encouraging city council members and Chamber board members to help out by painting a pig. "Really, anyone can come, on that day," she said.

Also in March, local businesses will be able to rent "Miss Piggy," a large plywood cutout, for display at their shops to help promote the fundraiser. The cost for that is $25, with $20 going to the Chamber.

According to Dayton Mayor Craig George, the city pool runs in the red every year. "It is such a valuable asset to the community, and we want to keep it going," he said. "Any dollars from the fundraiser will go towards the operation of the pool."

The city receives lodging tax from hotels, motels and RV parks in the city, and must use a portion of that for tourism promotion. The city contracts with the Chamber for that. This year, the Chamber agreed to do a fundraiser to benefit the pool, as part of that contract, according to interim Chamber director Ken Graham.

Beckmeyer is also offering ceramic painting classes to the public this spring. Starting in April, they will take place at Snapdragon on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon, Monday nights from 6-8 p.m., and Tuesday through Thursday, from noon until 3 p.m.

To reserve a spot in one of the painting classes, or to buy a pig or rent "Miss Piggy," call Vicky Beckmeyer at 382-2565.