Wheeling hosts pig roast to raise money for burn camp

More than 600 people are expected to attend a Sept. 11 pig roast at Market Square Restaurant in Wheeling.

The daylong event will pay tribute to the village's fire and police officers and raise money for a weeklong camp for burn victims.

This will be the sixth year for the event that raises about $20,000 per year, said Mike Moran, Wheeling's police and fire commissioner.

"It's a very kid-friendly event," said Moran, who added that every Wheeling child will be entered in a free raffle. One of the raffle prizes is skipping the usual bus ride in favor of being driven to school in a fire truck.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and an honor guard will honor Wheeling police and fire officers at 2 p.m. There will also be a fire truck ball drop, in which 100 balls are sold for $20 each and then dropped from a fire truck crane. The owner of the ball that lands closest to a target wins $500.

Tickets for the pig roast dinner are $10 and the meal includes chicken, salad, hot dogs, baked beans, sweet corn and a drink. The restaurant is at 600 W. Dundee Road.

All proceeds from the event go toward the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance burn camp. This year, 85 kids from throughout Illinois attended the camp, which was held June 13 to 19. It costs about $2,000 for each child to attend, but no one pays. The camp is run strictly on donations, which pay for food, transportation, housing and even clothing for some kids.

Residents who can't attend Wheeling's pig roast can send donations to Mike Moran at 305 Linden Lane, Wheeling, IL, 60090.