PORT ANGELES — A porcine smooch for charity drew laughter and applause in the Clallam County commissioners’ chambers Tuesday.

“This is for a good cause,” Mark Nichols, chief deputy prosecuting attorney, reminded himself before planting a kiss on Miss Bacon Bits, a potbellied pig owned by Lisa Hopper.

“I am proud to be able to support the United Way.”

Votes for Nichols to buss a pig raised $356.20 for the United Way of Clallam County in the county employees’ annual Kiss the Pig contest.

The county raised a total of $675, which county Auditor Patty Rosand presented to United Way of Clallam County Executive Director Jody Moss.

Participants had special containers in their departments to receive donations.

Several elected officials and department heads agreed to be part of the effort and committed to kissing the pig if they raised the most money.

The county raises more than $20,000 per year for the United Way through payroll deductions, bake sales, silent auctions, ice-cream sales, popcorn sales and the Kiss the Pig contest, Rosand said.

“We’ve been at the Kiss the Pig contest for the last few weeks,” Rosand said.

Other participants included County Administrator Jim Jones; Commissioner Mike Chapman; Prosecuting Attorney Deb Kelly; Assessor Pam Rushton; Treasurer Selinda Barkhuis; Sheriff Bill Benedict; Community Development Director Sheila Roark Miller; parks, fairs and facilities Director Joel Winborn; Juvenile and Family Services Director Pete Peterson; Information Technology Director Deborah Earley; Health and Human Services Director Iva Burks; and Rosand.

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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.