Focusing on fundraising for Swampscott High club

SWAMPCOTT – 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 11th 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 7 to 10 p.m., May 24-27. 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 funds from the school district 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.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.?The technical challenges associated with producing live television are very rewarding and educational for the students,” he said. “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.”Devyn Jaffe, who participated in the auction last year, said she is looking forward to it.?Everything comes down to the auction,” she said. “It’s my favorite time of the year. It’s how we raise all our money and I like that because it teaches us responsibility. We have to get it done or else we don’t get the equipment we need – but we do get it done. It’s so much fun.”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-priced ticket items due to their overall volume.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].