‘When Pigs Fly’ Charity Walk to Honor Memory of Palatine Teacher

Now in its sixth year, the ‘When Pigs Fly’ walk honoring former Sundling Junior High School teacher Carolyn Baider will raise funds for two local organizations. 

Baider lost her battle with cancer in 2004.

“When you met Carolyn, she was instantly a friend and you knew there was something very special about her,” said Rich Stocker, physical education teacher and co-chair of the walk for Carolyn. “When she passed away, we got together and decided we needed to find a way to continue her legacy.”

Carolyn’s motto was, she would only give up on children when pigs fly, and so the name of the charity walk was born from that simple and sincere intention.

Close to $60,000 has been raised in the five previous years of the charity walk, and a number of different organizations have been chosen to receive donated funds, including Palatine Kids in Need and Make a Wish Foundation. 

Last year, more than $6,500 was given to the Make a Wish Foundation, along with nearly 3,000 food items donated to the Palatine Food Pantry, according to Laura Turek, Pig Walk committee member.

This year, Stocker said he and other committee members wanted to help children and families locally in light of the tough economic times.

The Palatine Food Pantry and Palatine Assisting Through Hope (PATH) have been chosen to be the recipients of funds raised this year.

The walk for Carolyn will be Friday May 13 from 10 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. It will begin at Sundling Junior High School at 1100 North Smith St. Participants will head south on Smith Street and gather at Town Square near the intersection of Smith and Palatine Road.

Lunch will be served or participants can choose to bring their own sack lunch, and the group will walk back toward the school north on Smith arriving around 1:30 p.m.

Stocker said anyone is invited to participate in the walk, and donations will be accepted. Checks can be written to Walter Sundling Jr. High with ‘Pig Walk’ in the subject line and mailed to or dropped off at the school.

Individuals who want to help also can drop off canned or dry goods at school in the ‘Fuel the Pig’ boxes just inside the front entrance. A portion of the funds are raised by the students who purchase different colored shirts for $10 with the logo ‘When Pigs Fly’ on them.

For more information, contact Stocker or Paul Klimas, event co-chairs at 847 963-3700.