To raise money for education in the current competitive and challenging economic environment, the humble bake sale is often not enough to make a dent in a school's needs.
At Plum Cove Elementary School, which is now being fully repopulated after the closing of Fuller School, parents and teachers are turning to cable television stars to boost their latest fund-raising push.
Today a Plum Cove PTO benefit auction of two jackets autographed by a captain of the Discovery Channel reality show "Deadliest Catch," ends after a successful run on the online auction cmarket.com.
The jackets, made for the crew of the fishing vessel, Northwestern, have become some of the most popular items on the online site and, as of yesterday, have raised more than $3,200 for the school, which is trying to build its own PTO from scratch after sharing one with Beeman Elementary School during the last few years.
At one point this week, one of the jackets was the most popular item on the site.
"We are in a unique position because most schools have a tried-and-true fund-raising in place and we are starting from scratch," said Kristin Michel of the Plum Cove PTO this week.
In addition to being new, the Plum Cove PTO has faced a number of challenges, such as helping fund the renovation of the school's playground and transfer of equipment from Fuller School. That project alone cost $45,000, Michel said.
The "Deadliest Catch" jackets were donated and autographed by Sig Hansen, captain of the Northwestern, which fishes for crab in the Bering Sea on the show.
Hansen took part in a fund-raiser for Plum Cove in June during a visit to Gloucester with other members of the show.
The auction for the jackets, which ends at 8 p.m. today, has drawn bids from Norway, Australia and several states, Michel said.
The PTO supports a wide range of activities at Plum Cove, including supplies, equipment, library needs, art supplies, field trip transportation and school enrichment programs.
"The playground left us with nothing else," Michel said. "What we are able to do will depend on the success of the fund-raiser."
In addition to the jackets, the online auction has more than 100 other items benefiting the school. Those interesting in bidding can find them at plumcove.cmarket.com.
The PTO is holding a live benefit event and auction tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Manor Inn on Essex Avenue.
Patrick Anderson can be reached at panderson@gloucestertimes.com.
