Groton Elementary School Collects More Than $500 From Students To Help Japan

Groton's Pleasant Valley Elementary collected more than $500 Friday morning through a fundraiser that asked children to bring in $1 for Japan in exchange for wearing pajamas to school.

The school has 300 students, but children brought in money even if they did not wear pajamas, and many brought in more than $1.  The program "Jammies for Japan" will donate proceeds to the American Red Cross for the earthquake relief effort.

Kaitlyn Collins, 7, gave $10. She said her mother gave her $5, and she took $5 from her piggy bank.

"Every week, I get $3 for cleaning my room and things like that," she said. "I knew they had an earthquake. It's been on the news, so I wanted to help them."

Lauren Rusk, 10, said she understood what the money was for.

"Everyone who wanted to wear pajamas had to bring in $1, but you could also bring in more," she said. "My friend, he brought in $5."

She took her money out of her piggy bank. "I heard that there was an earthquake and a tsunami," she said.

Last year, the school held a similar fundraising event called "Hats for Haiti", and raised $600. Principal Kathleen Miner said about 80 percent of students or more wore pajamas to school Friday.

"It opened up an opportunity for teachers to talk about a tragedy that's half a world away, and help the kids understand a little bit about it," she said. "At the same time, they could understand how they could connect to (Japan) and help."