Pocopson Elementary School is only seven years old but – as does the much older Chadds Ford Elementary School – Pocopson now has its own PTO fund-raiser. The school held its sixth annual Art & Garden Sale at the school last Saturday, April 25.

And while the Chadds Ford Art sale relies on the work of professional artists, the Pocopson sale relies on the creative efforts of its students, faculty and general Pocopson family to raise money for educational programs.

Carol Apicella, the coordinator for this year’s event, said the sale was originally set up for Pocopson students to show off their artistic and craft talents, but it grew from there.

Tables are open to students and parents and others associated with the school to show and sell their crafts. Revenues are split 50/50 with the PTO.

But there is now a newer feature, the $100 table, she said, with crafts people paying $100, then keeps any profits in excess of that.

“The money goes right back into the school. It’s the rock wall back there. It’s the lights you see above the stage. It’s for assemblies and each teacher gets $100 every year. So the money flows back into the school. The PTO flows it back in,” Apicella said.

There is also a silent auction component, she continued, sometimes with class projects in which each class does a project such as bird houses or garden stakes or trivets, a set of coasters or they can do a large project such as a mosaic mirror.

They also solicit donations from local businesses.

“This year has been a banner year because the ladies who are coordinating the auction, Jody Weaver and Mandy Kirk, have outdone themselves. They have Southwest Airlines tickets; they have passes to Disney, Universal Studios tickets, Jonas Brothers’ tickets, An Eagles’ helmet, and a lot of sports memorabilia. So it’s phenomenal this year,” said Apicella.

Among the craft tables were two people finding new uses for empty wine bottles.

Marcy Dea, a teacher’s aide, sold lighted wine bottles that she cleaned, then inserted small electric powered lights and topped with decorative flowers.

And Jill Bremmer found another use for old wine bottles. She removed the labels, then flattened the bottles in her kiln, reapplied the labels and turned the flattened bottle into a cheese board with the small cutting knife affixed to the cork.

And there was food with Principal Andrew McLaughlin grilling the hot dogs.

Last year’s event raised $12,000 for the school.