Mike Baiamonte knew he wanted to do something to help Bryce McKinney, the paralyzed Ponchatoula High football player, and his family with expenses associated with paralysis recovery.

Bryce McKinney and his mother Robin talk in the family's Ponchatoula home Monday afternoon

But he was certain of one thing – whatever he did wouldn’t be the usual raffle-style fundraiser.

So he called upon his New Orleans background and the end result is Saturday’s fundraiser in downtown Ponchatoula.

“I was at a booster club meeting one night and just thinking about one way I wanted to raise money,” said Baiamonte, Ponchatoula’s varsity football coach. “Coming from my New Orleans background and moving up to this area, we just kind of said here’s an opportunity for us to raise money. And if I’m going to raise money, I’m going to party to do it.”

As planned now, the festivities will run from 10 until 3 p.m. at Paul’s Café, near the railroad tracks in downtown Ponchatoula. Baiamonte has seven singers lined up, including 2005 American Idol finalist Michael Liuzza.

The New Orleans native played for Baiamonte at Archbishop Shaw, and jumped at the opportunity to help out, Baiamonte said.

The event will include a raffle for a spot on one of nearly 30 charter boat for a fishing trip and a gumbo cook-off.

The biggest part of the day, though, will occur when Baiamonte and the Ponchatoula coaches hand McKinney his varsity lettermen’s jacket.

According to Baiamonte, the requirement for earning a letter changed when he took over prior to the 2007 season. The coach said he wanted the players to have to earn it, and while Bryce likely would not have earned one this season, his circumstances changed that night September.

“When it was time to give out lettermen jackets, this is a situation where we can make a statement,” Baiamonte said. “He would have lettered his senior year. Now he won’t get that opportunity. He’ll still be part of the team, but in a different capacity.”

McKinney missed the sports banquet when Ponchatoula’s football players received their jackets. He was in Atlanta at the Shepherd Center Rehabilitation Hospital.

Baiamonte was going to give McKinney the jacket when he moved back to Ponchatoula in the middle of February, but after talking to Bryce’s father Jeffrey, decided to give it to the former player at the fundraiser.

“It adds a little more pizzazz,” Baiamonte said.

Not that more pizzazz is needed. Baiamonte said the way the Ponchatoula community has rallied around the school and the McKinney family is nothing short of amazing.

“When something needs to happen at Ponchatoula High, the community really comes through,” Baiamonte said. “There’s no way to explain how fast they rally and support you. It has been an eye-opening and learning experience for me.”