Recent Berkley PTO Events Go Beyond Fundraising

Berkley Street School’s PTO had two successful fundraisers during the last week of April. First, the bi-annual “Rags to Riches” drive on April 16 raised $498 and helped a good cause. The annual Berkley-a-thon walk was Friday, April 29 and raised $1,620 for the PTO while providing a lot of fun for the school community.

The Rags to Riches drive was brought to Berkley eight years ago by Cheryl Tormo and her sister, Dona McNaughton. The Berkley community gathers its old clothes, bedding, bags, stuffed animals, etc., bags it all up, and drops it off at McNaughton’s house. A company called Fashion Republic comes and collects all of the items. They weigh the goods and the PTO is given a dollar amount per pound of goods. The November drive along with this April one raised a total of $826 for Berkley’s PTO. The donated items are sent overseas to people in need.

“My sister and I brought this fundraiser to Berkley eight years ago because it is a win-win,” commented Tormo. “Parents get rid of old stuff and help the school and a good cause at the same time.”

The 29^th was a beautiful day for the Berkley -a-thon. Prior to the event, a sponsor envelope went home with each child. Students collected money from their sponsors. Donations were made either by pledging an amount to pay per lap walked, or a flat donation.

Students were “sunblocked”, clad in sneakers and rarin’ to go! During the Berkley-a-thon, students carried lap cards which were marked off each time they completed one lap around the field. A line of Berkley parents waited, pens in hand, as the students came around, cards held out, big grins on their faces. Some danced to the popular songs played from an iPod by the PTO President Kristin Becker, and the PTO Vice President, Ali McMahon who were in the center of the field. The music added to the children’s excitement.

Most children walked an average of 12-15 laps over the course of a half hour. They all enjoyed ice pops at the end of the Berkley-a-thon.

Follow-up Note: The Spirit Club’s Penny Challenge raised a total of $1,284.94! Thanks to the Berkley Community for its support!

Upcoming Berkley Events…

• May 9-12: Grades 3 and 5 NJ ASK testing.
• May 9-13: Grade 4 NJ ASK testing.
• May 9-13: K-2 Final Book Exchange Week.
• May 13: DJ Night from 7-9 p.m. in the Gym.
• May 16-20: 3-5 Final Book Exchange Week.
• May 18 & 19: Berkley/Gibbs Art Show at Berkley 3-7 p.m.
• May 19: Art Show Ice Cream Social 8 pm.
• May 20: Berkley Field Day.