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Contact us: Children's Chance PO Box 7453 Columbia, SC 29202 803-254-5996
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Zig's Story Zig the Pig was developed as a loveable and uplifting character to address the serious issues of pediatric cancer. His function is to serve as an ongoing funding source for the programs of Children's Chance, as well as to work in the community as an educator and an advocate for children with cancer. The inspiration for the development of the Zig the Pig character came from a ceramic piggy bank that was painted with black-and-white markings by Margaret Nevill of the Mad Platter store in Columbia, South Carolina. This ceramic figure was donated by Ms. Neville to Children's Chance and given the name Zig. Although Zig the Pig has grown and changed, the Mad Platter – A Paint Your Own Pottery Studio - located at 3101 Millwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 29201, is recognized as the "birth place" of Zig. This piggybank was sent to various businesses and raised about $30 a month. Board member Pinny Morgan Crouch began focusing on the potential of the piggybank and developing ideas for what is now Zig the Pig. Harrison Jackson, a student at Hammond School in Columbia, SC, helped design the image of Zig the Pig because Ms. Crouch wanted the illustration of Zig's logo to be child-like. Harrison is the daughter of a former Children's Chance board member, Sadie Jackson. After eight months of conceptual work, the concept for Zig the Pig was presented to the board of Children's Chance. In 2003, a committee of volunteers headed by Ms. Crouch was created to further develop Zig the Pig. In 2003, Leila Grimball, co-founder of Children's Chance, came back on the board to help manage the growth of Zig the Pig in the community. Today, Zig the Pig is officially on his way, making a name for himself in our community as he raises money for kids with cancer. A published author, Dr. Sue Heiney, with the help of Susan Craig, was inspired to write a storybook about Zig the Pig that debuted in September 2004. Because she works with cancer patients at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital, Dr. Heiney knows that "cancer" is a scary word to children. The goal of Zig's storybook is to help children learn about what it's like to go through cancer or any other terrible circumstance. It illustrates ways they can help and explains that everyone can make a positive difference in the lives of those in need. In Zig Goes To School, Zig loses his stripes, just as a child with cancer might lose their hair or a limb. This book explains things so that a child can relate to what's going on without being afraid and will encourage open communication between parents or caregivers and children. Zig Goes To School seeks to help kids do the following:
This page last updated: 02/13/2008 |
