600 Palatine students take part in charity event

It was a beautiful, sunny Friday when more than 600 students marched the streets of Palatine in the annual "When Pigs Fly" charity event.

Held Friday, May 14, students, teachers, administration and parents from Walter R. Sundling Junior High paraded down Smith Street to celebrate their success and charitable contributions. In its fifth year, the event organizers turned their focus to the Palatine community, asking families to bring in nonperishable food for the Palatine Food Pantry, in addition to cash donations.

To date, this year's "Pigwalk" has earned more than $6,000 and provided the pantry with, literally, a truckload of food to stock its shelves.

The walk itself was also a success, with students winning raffle prizes donated by teachers and community members, eating a picnic lunch and listening to several speakers including Mayor Jim Schwantz.

The Sundling Paladins are extremely proud of what they've been able to provide for families in need and the way in which they honored Carolyn Baider, the teacher for which this event was designed and whose mantra had always been, "I'll give up on kids when pigs fly."

As the students chanted "We Are Paladins!" at the Palatine Towne Square that Friday, their tribute to Baider and their service and commitment to their community was heard for miles.