![The picture shows two stuffed animals: a brown dinosaur on the left and a purple dragon on the right. They are stuffed animals from the Buddy-A-Thon fundraiser.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1776972719/spsccpsscom/lxcqh1tovw2cvmte9nsu/bookbuddies.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1776972719/spsccpsscom/lxcqh1tovw2cvmte9nsu/bookbuddies.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1776972719/spsccpsscom/lxcqh1tovw2cvmte9nsu/bookbuddies.jpg","width":640}])
Bloomingdale Elementary School is celebrating the success of its 2026 “Buddy-A-Thon,” a PTA-led fundraiser that combined student engagement, academic growth, and community impact in a meaningful way.
Through this donation-based initiative, students raised an impressive $20,274, with 50% of the proceeds—$10,137—returned directly to the school. These funds were used to purchase an innovative, interactive projection system designed to transform classroom learning. Similar to exhibits found in children’s museums, the system allows teachers to create fully immersive, hands-on learning experiences by uploading customized, interactive lessons and games.
In an exciting development, Bloomingdale’s special education team is partnering with the projection company to design engaging instructional games that may be shared with educators nationwide. This collaboration highlights the school’s commitment to inclusive, innovative practices and positions Bloomingdale as a leader in creative instructional design.
The Buddy-A-Thon also provided a fun and motivating experience for students. Based on their fundraising efforts, students earned personalized “buddies” (stuffed animals), along with outfits, accessories, and tote bags. Representatives from the fundraising organization visited the school to host a hands-on “stuffing” experience.
Beyond fundraising, the initiative encouraged literacy development. Families who registered online could log their child’s reading minutes, and students who met the 120-minute reading goal earned a special reading-themed T-shirt for their buddy. Collectively, Bloomingdale students logged more than 9,600 minutes of reading during the event.
The Buddy-A-Thon also extended its impact beyond the school. For every student who raised $275 or more, a stuffed animal was donated in their honor to Memorial Health Dwaine & Cynthia Willett Children's Hospital of Savannah. Patients at the hospital were given the opportunity to stuff their own buddy or receive one ready to comfort them. In total, more than 80 stuffed animals were donated.
The Buddy-A-Thon reflects Bloomingdale Elementary’s core values of intentionality, community, and positivity by fostering teamwork, encouraging a love of reading, and promoting kindness through service.