Raising $15K a piece of cake

Normally, 50 to 60 cakes are auctioned off after the homecoming game at Encampment School. After hearing about frustration from residents unable to match high bids and support the athletic scholarship, Encampment Principal Mike Erickson encouraged more cakes be made for the auction so there were cakes available at and below the $100 range.

Encampment answered the challenge and produced 96 cakes for this auction.

“We are thankful for everyone in the community who work hard to keep this fundraiser going,” Erickson said.

This year, the 96 cakes garnered a record gross of $15,225. Last year, the fundraiser made $14,090, just $168 shy of the 2008 record of $14,258.

It took over two hours to auction all of the cakes with the highest bid of $785 going to Josh Kleinhecsel.

Cakes went for as low as $35.

Erickson said the support of the businesses, community members, staff and parents to stay after the games and purchase a cake is what makes the program a huge success.

Two seniors athletes are chosen each year to receive an E-Club scholarship using funds raised at the cake auction. The funds are also used to update athletic equipment.