Mike Wayland

Relying on an Oreo cookie to make money may not seem like a smart investment.

But Josh Merryman, a temporary staff member for Intercollegiate Athletics, called upon the cookie, along with a dalmatian, buffalo and a lion to raise attention to a cause close to him.

Merryman recruited more than 40 organizations and 15 mascots for a mascot basketball game on Saturday to raise funds for the American Lung Association. He raised about $900 through donations from the game and raffle.

“We raised less than we did last year, but we actually had more people there,” Merryman said.

During the fundraiser’s first year in 2008, about $1,300 was raised, but Merryman said the economy may have affected this year’s fundraising.

Merryman’s wife and two children are asthmatic and after they had some serious attacks about two years ago, he wanted to do something to help his loved ones.

“He felt helpless,” said Natalie Merryman, Josh’s wife, who said her husband would not sit to the side while his family suffered.

“He said ‘I know what I’m going to do,” Natalie said.

He went to businesses, companies, and athletic organizations asking for participants for the game and donations for a raffle.

Numerous prizes were raffled off including athletic apparel like a signed NBA basketball from the Detroit Pistons, autographed figurines of Central Michigan University football players and a size 17 shoe from Chris Kaman of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Mascots varied in shape, color and size. Mascots from bears to birds, from the Arby’s Oven Mitt to an Oreo cookie were all there.

Moondog, the mascot for the Cleveland Cavaliers, climbed on the basketball rim, stood on it to block shots from going into the net, then fell through the hoop after a basketball was thrown at him.

Roary from the Detroit Lions tried running for a touchdown with the basketball.

“I overheard a few people talking about it,” said Allen Park graduate assistant Brandon Sinnott. “It sounded like it would be pretty interesting,”

About 200 people were at the event and Sinnott said the children seemed to enjoy all the mascots.

“The children seem to love it and the parents seem to love it,” Sinnot said. “It’s a great environment.”

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