The Deptford Middle School’s PTO will hold its first-ever virtual basket auction on Friday, April 30. Twenty baskets will be raffled off.
The PTO, which stands for parent-teacher organization, is a board of people who want nothing more than to spark better parent and community communication with Deptford Middle School students and staff members.
“With the continuation of COVID-19, we had to be creative on how we were going to raise funds for students, now knowing that we can’t hold in-person events and fundraisers anymore,” said PTO member Alesia Stewart.
All proceeds from the auction will go toward items that are outside of the school’s budget and plans.
“The PTO is purchasing yard signs for all graduating eighth-grade students,” Stewart added.
For each $15 donation, participants’ names will be entered once on a piece of paper, into each of the 20 baskets. A recording of the drawings will then be posted to the Deptford Middle School PTO Facebook page, and the winners will be contacted so that a date and time can be scheduled for receiving their baskets. The drawing is a part of the initial entry process.
Available basket themes include: Girl Scout cookies, Edge Fitness with a gift certificate, Filippo’s Pizza and Grill-themed basket with a $50 gift card, a beach theme, fun and games for kids, a pet basket, and Joe’s Crab Shack with a gift card. There is also a Tastefully Simple themed basket that was donated by a local mom.
The PTO, which is in its second year of existence, includes Donna Masusock, Kiersten Cucunato, Amy Byorick, and Stewart. They are all keen on raising funds for faculty members and other working people in the Deptford community as well.
“On April 1, we did a Krispy Kreme donut sale and we were able to raise over 32,000 donuts and distribute them to local EMTs, firefighters, police officers, and public works,” Stewart replied.
Recognizing the challenges of teaching during a global pandemic, the organization has established a monthly drawing for teachers, aides, and support staff. Two randomly selected names are drawn and then a $10 Wawa or Dunkin gift card is given to each.
The deadline for purchasing raffle tickets is Tuesday, April 27. Visit https://forms.gle/9g4tLvksASuAY4Fz6 to order a “chance” and officially be included in the drawings. Visit the Deptford Middle School PTO Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Deptford-Middle-School-PTO-101801341253481 for more information about the event. Payments can be sent through Venmo @PTOMMS.
