PRIEST RIVER — Students of Priest River Elementary grabbed their chairs, blankets, popcorn and candy Saturday night, making themselves cozy as they prepared to watch "Monsters, Inc." in the school gymnasium.

"It was a packed house — it was a lot of fun," said PRE Principal Connie Kimble.

The kids deserved to have fun, after all, earning the movie night through their fundraising efforts. The PRE parent-teacher organization set up a no-sell fundraiser to run Oct. 1-12, with a goal of $6,000. They far exceeded that goal, with the students raising $11,035.32. The PTO sold popcorn and candy during the movie night as well, picking up another $895, Kimble said. When all is said and done, Kimble said the total could very well reach the $12,000 mark — double the original goal.

The idea for a no-sell fundraiser came about after last year when the kids sold $12,000 worth of products through Great America, and the school only got to keep around $4,000, Kimble said. The no-sell worked out "much better," she added. This way, the school gets to keep all of the funds raised, which will go toward playground equipment.

Kimble said she didn't hear one complaint about it, and actually heard several comments from parents who were grateful they were not tasked with buying things they didn't want, such as wrapping paper, popcorn tins or candy bars.

"It was an amazing success," she said.

One of the goals at PRE, Kimble said, is to create a "community hub ambience," with the school as a cultural and family center for many activities.

"That movie night really made that happen for us," she said. "It was friendly, it was fun, the kids were great; I think the parents had fun."

The kids were tasked with raising the funds and earned prizes along the way. Each student who brought in $7.50, for example, received a lanyard, and for $15 they received a lanyard and a key. For each additional $10, they received another key. For every key they earned, their name went into a drawing for one of four "treasure" boxes.

The grand prizes were awarded on movie night and included a Camas Center package and a $50 gift certificate to Crossroads Family Restaurant in Usk, a bowling package to Huckleberry Lanes in Sandpoint, a movie night package from the Roxy Theater and Westside Pizza, and a package with two big baskets filled with board games and goodies. There were additional raffle prizes held during the school-wide movie night as well. The movie was provided by the Roxy Theater.

In addition, Elanna Philipoff's third-grade class was awarded a pizza party for raising the most money.

"They got back what they gave, but the kids made this happen," Kimble said. "I have to thank the community for giving back as well ... And our PTO is just very strong and dedicated to this school, and I really appreciate all of the support they give staff and admin — they are just an amazing bunch of people."

As for the new playground equipment the money will fund, Kimble said a meeting is coming up with the West Bonner County School District facilities staff, and the school will work in collaboration with them and PTO to determine what both playgrounds at the school will look like.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.