California teacher kisses camel for cancer fundraiser

Cruickshank Middle School teacher Stephanie Ferreria went all out to celebrate “hump day” Wednesday by kissing an animal specifically known for its hump – a camel.

Each year since 2013, Cruikshank raises about $2,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through a Pennies for Patients fundraiser. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding research, finding cures and ensuring access to treatments for blood cancer patients, according to its website. During the Pennies for Patients fundraiser, the school class that raises the most money receives a pizza party.

Over the last three weeks, Cruickshank raised $2,045. In order for the school to reach its goal of $2,500, an additional contest was added to the fundraising efforts. Students dropped money into jars with the teacher’s name who they wanted to see kiss a camel.

By the end of the week, Ferreria’s jar had about $100, more than any other teacher, said Wendy May, a teacher who organized the event.

During lunch Wednesday afternoon, Ferreria not once, but twice, pecked a camel named Alee as students cheered.

She felt a little nervous about kissing the camel because “you don’t know whether they’re going to spit, lick or kick.”

But Ferreria described 16-year-old Alee, a dromedary, as awesome: “I like her a lot.”

Alee belongs to Lloyd Pereira, a Snelling resident running for the District 4 seat on the Board of Supervisors. Pereira owns a farm with various other large animals, including water buffalo, yak, Watusi cattle and four-horned sheep.

Ferreria said she was honored to kiss the camel and she was proud of the students for raising so much money. “It’s for a good cause.”

After Ferreria’s smooch, students donated more money to take a selfie with Alee, boosting the fundraiser to reach its goal, May said.

This story was originally published February 24, 2016 at 11:18 PM with the headline "California teacher kisses camel for cancer fundraiser."