The pumpkins were smaller this year at George G. Blaisdell Elementary School, but the children’s enthusiasm was as big as ever during Tuesday’s annual Student Service League project to raise funds for local charities.

“The students brought in their loose change and whichever class had the most money got to carve the pumpkins,” said Principal Erin Waugaman. She said students in Nicole Cappello’s and Katrina Placer’s kindergarten classes raised the most money for the contest, which collected a total of $1,763. The charities that will each receive a third of the funds are McKean County Special Olympics, CARE for Children and the United Way of the Bradford Area.

Waugaman said the elementary school had received Atlantic Giant pumpkins from Gus Crissman in the past, but none were available from the local farmer this year. Instead, Crissman donated four large pumpkins for the winning classes to carve.

“It is a nice activity for our kids and then we get to display them (today) for Halloween,” Waugaman added. “When the students come in, they’re all excited to see them.”

Marianne Rooney, a representative with Special Olympics, said the funds are helpful each year.

“We use it for our swimming, our track meet and our bowling,” Rooney explained. “It pays for all the expenses.”

Leslie Kallenborn, marketing and development coordinator with CARE for Children, said the funds are also helpful for her agency which serves children from the area.

“This will help with programs and services for children of all abilities,” Kallenborn said. “We’re just honored to be a recipient … we love coming to watch this, it’s such a nice break for us to come out and see the kids.”

On a final note, Waugaman said all of the donations were provided in the form of change from the students — and had to be counted daily by school secretary, Debbie Cline.

For her part, Cline said, “It probably took me three days (to count), I did it as they sent it down from the (34) classrooms” in the school.

“There were pennies, nickels and quarters — but a lot of pennies,” Cline said of her change-counting duties.

She noted her hands took on a dark hue after each counting session.

“I look forward to it all being counted each year,” Cline added with a facetious laugh. “Tomorrow there will be no counting.”