AGAWAM – On Oct. 19, Agawam Cinemas hosted a fundraiser event showing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” for a good cause. Tickets to the showing were only fifty cents and all proceeds were donated to Gift Cards for Kids with Cancer, an organization that collects gift cards annually and donates them to Baystate Children’s Hospital.

This kicks off Gift Cards for Kids with Cancer’s fundraising efforts that will continue through the holiday season. Gift cards are collected throughout the month of November and donated to the Oncology Clinic at Baystate Children’s Hospital just before Christmas.

Laura LaValley Morris and her family started Gift Cards for Kids with Cancer when her daughter, Momo, was diagnosed with cancer in 2011. Momo has been cancer free for five years, but Morris has continued the organization. “We are grateful and thankful. We felt a huge pull to give back to the community and help other families going through what we were going through, especially during the holidays.”

Morris is happy to give back to the hospital that helped Momo year after year. “A gift card seemed like a simple way to give back, and so many people in the community want to help out. For us for be able to deliver them directly to the families at Baystate Children’s Hospital makes the impact even greater.”

Each year Agawam Cinemas, Diamond Gold Connection, Next Fitness and Mike’s Auto Service and Repair team up with the family to bring attention to the Gift Cards for Kids with Cancer organization and to raise awareness for children on active cancer treatment in Western Massachusetts. Morris is happy to have the support of the cause’s partners. “The gift card collection means a lot to our family and the community, and we are thankful to our community partners for their involvement.”

The nearly sold out showing of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” helped raise funds that will be used to purchase additional gift cards for donation to the hospital. Through other upcoming events, Morris hopes to have a successful holiday season for a cause that means so much to her family. “The holidays are tough, and when you have a child on active cancer treatment, not only is it financially stressful, but emotionally difficult for the entire family. If we can help in some way to ease some of the stress for these families, then we are doing something great.”

Upcoming events for the organization include a Squat-A-Thon on Nov. 24 at Next Fitness in Agawam and a benefit at the American Legion Post 207 on Dec. 9 in West Springfield. Admission to both events is one gift card. Gift cards can be in any denomination and can be to any location. Additional donations can be made directly to Morris, at Mike’s Auto Service and Repair or Diamond Gold Connection. Morris can be reached on the Gift Cards for Kids with Cancer Facebook page. Morris is happy for the support that the community provides. “We are greatly appreciative to our generous community, friends and partners that are willing to give a little bit, and help a lot.