Swampscott TV students ready for auction

SWAMPSCOTT – More than 65 students are involved in coordinating the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Swampscott High School Cable Club.The students are getting ready for the 10th annual SHS-TV auction to raise money for the cable club, which runs programming all year. If you’re in the market for a bargain the auction will be broadcast live in several communities from May 26-29 from 7-10 p.m. The live broadcasts can be seen on Comcast Channel 15 in Swampscott and on Verizon Channel 40 in Swampscott, Nahant and Lynn.TV Production and Media Literacy Classes teacher and Cable Club advisor Tom Reid pointed out the station does not receive district funds and is entirely self supporting.Reid said the high school cable club program, which was started in 1995, only receives funding once every 10 years through the town contracts with cable companies. That funding is solely used for equipment.”The contract with the cable company paid for the new studio,” he said. “But that’s all the funding we’ll get for another 10 years so we run the program on money raised through this auction and other events. This auction really makes the difference.”Reid said the auction raises approximately $10,000 each year for the Cable Club and it is their most watched broadcast of the year.The event is much more than a fundraiser, however. Reid pointed out it is an opportunity for the students involved to work together and put what they have learned to practical use.”This is our most watched televised event of the year,” he said. “And the technical challenges associated with producing live television are very rewarding and educational for the students. For most TV Production students, helping to plan and produce 12 hours of live TV in one week is their most exciting challenge of the year. It serves as their cumulative learning experience for the school year.”Reid said there are hundreds of items up for auction this year, including Red Sox tickets and a family membership to the Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA. Even though there are some items valued at more than $1,000, Reid said the bulk of the money raised is from lower ticket items because of the volume of lower priced items.Reid said the students are still working to secure items from sponsors for the auction. He pointed out donations are tax deductible and any business that becomes a sponsor would receive free advertising on the cable channel. He added students are able to help donors create ads.Reid said anyone interested in donating items for the live auction should call him at 781-596-8830 ext. 5318 or email [email protected]