Throughout West Hartford Public Schools on Friday, Dec. 12, students and teachers participated in the annual PJ Day fundraiser to support Connecticut Children’s.

PJ Day for the Kids. Dec. 12, 2025. Photo credit: Jennifer Schlichting

By Maddie Geraghty. Photos by Maddie Geraghty and Jennifer Schlichting 

PJ Day is an annual tradition at all West Hartford Public Schools, when students and teachers alike show up ready for bed. Everyone is warm and cozy as they get to support The Connecticut Children’s Foundation.

The wearing of PJs is symbolic, and intended to show support of patients at Connecticut Children’s who dress in pajamas for extended periods of time – days, weeks, or even longer – while fighting cancer and other serious illnesses at the hospital. Participants in PJ Day are encouraged to donate at least $1 to the fundraiser.

PJ Day for the Kids. Dec. 12, 2025. Photo credit: Maddie Geraghty

According to the PJ Day for the Kids official website, they have raised over $4.7 million dollars to support the Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders at CCMC since it began in 2011. More than $698,000 of donations were raised in 2024 alone.

PJ Day for the Kids. Dec. 12, 2025. Photo credit: Maddie Geraghty

West Hartford Public Schools is a huge contributor as of now, with the second biggest donation of $9,569 as of Dec. 12! So far $393,001 has been collected in 2025. We are almost halfway to the goal with many school’s PJ Days to come!

If you are wondering how you can help join the fight, online donations are accepted at this link.

PJ Day for the Kids. Dec. 12, 2025. Photo credit: Maddie Geraghty

On Friday, both Hall and Conard high school communities made PJ Day special with tables for bracelet making in the lunch periods. Days like PJ day give awareness to a great cause and allow everyone to have a relaxing time. Each year that we participate is another year West Hartford brings fun into uplifting one another.

PJ Day for the Kids. Dec. 12, 2025. Photo credit: Maddie Geraghty

As well as this, there are many opportunities to help out in our community. American Cancer Society and Blood Cancer United accept online donations and have ties to your local community. Blood Cancer united runs a Student Visionaries of the Year Campaign every year encouraging students to raise money for blood cancer research and patient support. Additionally, the American Cancer society has a Branch Club at Hall High School called Relay for Life. Connecting with these groups will help our West Hartford community and aid in the changing of lives of cancer patients everywhere. 

PJ Day for the Kids. Dec. 12, 2025. Photo credit: Maddie Geraghty

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