NORTHAMPTON — Just for a day, and for a good cause, students at R.K. Finn Ryan Road Elementary School wore pajamas to class to encourage people to donate to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund.
“There was one fourth-grader that had a whole panda onesie,” fifth-grader Angela Kim, 10, said.
Fifth-grader Sarah Molnar, 10, said another student wore a unicorn onesie with a horn on the hood.
The Pajama Day fundraiser Dec. 9 was sponsored by the Student Leadership Team, which collected donations for the Toy Fund. The fund provides certificates redeemable at local retailers to eligible families with children who can use them to buy holiday gifts at participating stores through Dec. 31, 2016.
Principal Sarah Madden said the team is a group of third-, fourth- and fifth-graders who volunteer their time to organize activities at school to help the community.
The group suggested $1 donations, but some students donated $20 and even $50.
The leadership team estimates about 90 percent of students wore pajamas to school. In total, the students raised $300 for the Toy Fund.
“We try to get a lot of kids to participate,” said fifth-grader Faye Moore, 10. Students made posters and fliers to spread the word throughout school.
Fifth-grader Rosa Sullivan-Merrick, 10, described the team as “a group of kids that want to make the school a better and more fun place.”
The group plans other events such as crazy hair day, crazy clothes day and has a suggestion box to get input from other students. Last year, the students did a pajama day and it was so popular the principal said it is now a tradition.
“We like to give back,” said student Lucy Braudis, 10.
Named after a former business manager at the Gazette, the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund began in 1933 to help families in need during the Depression. Today, the fund distributes vouchers to families for each child from age 1 to 14. Eligible families must live in any Hampshire County community except Ware, or in the southern Franklin County towns of Deerfield, Sunderland, Whately, Shutesbury and Leverett.
Berkshire Children and Families at 220 Russell St. in Hadley, verifies families’ eligibility and the Gazette covers costs associated with the drive, freeing all donations to fund the vouchers. Most families who receive assistance are referred by social service agencies.
The following stores are participating this year: A2Z Science and Learning Store, 57 King St., Northampton; Deals & Steals, One Pearl St., Northampton; JCPenney, 341 Russell St., Hadley; The Toy Box, 201 N. Pleasant St., Amherst; Wilson’s Dept. Store, 258 Main St., Greenfield; Sam’s Outdoor Outfitters, 227 Russell St., Hadley; and Target, 367 Russell St., Hadley.
Donations to the Toy Fund may be dropped off at or mailed to the Daily Hampshire Gazette at 115 Conz St. in Northampton, 01060, or made through Gazettenet at toyfund.gazette.com.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.