From now through Easter, it’s FLW Week on eBay, where several autographed jerseys worn by FLW team pros are being auctioned to benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. According to organizer Paul Strege, a freelance contributor to FLW Bass Fishing Magazine, he hopes to beat last year’s total of $8,400. Original owners of the jerseys being auctioned off include:

• The Kellogg’s team of Dave Lefebre of Pennsylvania, Jim Tutt and Shin Fukae of Texas and Greg Bohannan of Arkansas

• National Guard Pro and 2011 Forrest Wood Cup champion Scott Martin of Florida

• 2011 Angler of the Year and Castrol team pro David Dudley of Virginia

• National Guard Pro Brent Ehrler of California

• Straight Talk Pro JT Kenney of Florida

• Chevy Pro Luke Clausen of Washington

At present, some jerseys in the auction are fetching between $100 and $200. According to Strege, the jerseys of other pros have already been purchased through the “buy it now” feature on eBay. Just before the Walmart FLW Lake Okeechobee Open that Randall Tharp of Alabama won, his EverStart team jersey was sold. Then, prior to the Lake Hartwell Major won by California pro Brent Ehrler, his National Guard team jersey was purchased.

“I don’t know if it’s coincidence or just good Karma, but it seems that we’ve been getting help increasing the collectible value of the jerseys,” notes Strege. “We did a Bassmaster Classic jerseys auction week on eBay prior to the event, and [eventual winner] Chris Lane was one of the donors.

A Monday morning check of the eBay page (which may be found here) where the FLW jerseys are being auctioned revealed that the top bid for the Kellogg’s team jerseys was $1,200. Beside the autographed jerseys, the winning bidder will get to go fishing with the Kellogg’s pro of his choice. The pro will decide the lake, and it likely will be one of the Walmart FLW Tour stops.

“We raised a nice amount last year and we hope to do better.We encourage everyone to participate in the auction, but otherwise at least make a donation to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” urges Strege. “One hundred percent of the money will go to St. Jude.”

Fifty years ago, the children’s hospital was founded with a mission to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. On average, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats more than 7,800 children each year, regardless of a family’s ability to pay for treatment.

To learn more, visit the Jerseys for St. Jude blog: www.jerseysforstjude.blogspot.com