The Forestbrook Elementary School Panthers didn’t end up as one of the top fundraising teams for the Tidelands Health breast cancer awareness walk wearing pink. They did it wearing PJs.

Leaders designated Oct. 11 as PJ Day for In the Pink at the school, giving students the option of donating a dollar for the privilege to wear pajamas to school that day. Add another dollar to bring a blanket. And another to bring a stuffed animal.

All the money raised went to the Forestbrook Elementary Panthers team that participated in the Tidelands Health In the Pink breast cancer awareness walk Saturday, Oct. 19, at Brookgreen Gardens.

One after another, students in kindergarten through fifth grade wearing the most adorable pajamas – many of them Halloween-themed – paraded through the school entrances Oct. 11, dropping their donations in the buckets for In the Pink.

The dollars – along with plenty of $10 and $5 bills from generous parents – kept adding up. PJ Day brought in a tremendous $1,700, propelling the Forestbrook Elementary Panthers team to one of the top three fund-raising spots for In the Pink. Coupled with other fund-raising efforts, the team brought in a total of $3,280 for In the Pink, money that will go to support the Tidelands Health breast care fund.

“I am super proud of our school,” said Lisa Ferris, the team leader for the Forestbrook Elementary Panthers.

This is the second year the Panthers have had a fundraising team for In the Pink. Ferris organized the effort to support fellow teachers and others who have been affected by breast cancer.

In addition to raising money, PJ Day was promoted as a way to honor three teachers at Forestbrook Elementary who are “breast cancer warriors,” including Teresa Holmes, another In the Pink team leader.

While the PJs proved profitable, the Panthers donned their best pink for the breast cancer awareness walk. More than 2,100 walkers participated, with more than $180,000 raised for the breast care fund – the most in the event’s 19-year history.

“It’s a really special event, and a really good experience for all of us,” Ferris said. “It’s knowing that we can support not just our friends, but people you haven’t ever met.”