Photo by Sam Yu New Market Elementary School third-grader Addison Reno stands with her little brother, Colin Reno, in front of her fundraiser information at the school Friday. Addison organized Pajama Day at the school, where students and staff donated money to fight food allergies like her brother has, and to be allowed to wear pajamas to school. Addison’s goal was $400, but she raised $1,050. Also in pajamas are Jason Anderson, principal, and Cindy Alvarado, assistant principal. Purchase this photo

New Market Elementary School third-grader Addison Reno's younger brother, Colin, 3, was diagnosed with severe peanut and tree nut allergies.

To help make others aware of the seriousness of the affliction, Addison recently held a fundraiser at her school for the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

Students were allowed to wear their pajamas to school May 15 if they donated $1. To sweeten the pot, Principal Jason Anderson said he would don his PJs if the school raised enough money.

"The goal was to raise $400, but we raised $1,050," said Stacy Reno, Addison and Colin's mother. "Mr. Anderson was a good sport about wearing his PJs all day."

The Reno household was turned upside down when Colin's allergies were discovered after he ate his first -- and last -- peanut butter sandwich. He was 2.

"The first couple of months after the diagnosis were rough, with the learning all about it and the fear," Reno said. "But it gets easier."

The Renos now have a nut-free home, but the outside world still poses considerable challenges. Colin is so sensitive he can have a reaction simply by touching someone who has handled nuts. Eating at restaurants can be tricky. Reno knows now which establishments are good about labeling containers or posting content information on menus.

She had nothing but praise for her daughter, who has become one of Colin's many food guardians.

"Addison has to be very accommodating, and she's very helpful," Reno said. "She's his little watchdog."

The Reno family has become used to eating a lot of the same thing, Stacy Reno said. When the children go to parties, she takes along cupcakes from home to avoid any cross-contamination.

"And we always have to be prepared, always have to have his medicine on hand," she said.

At New Market Elementary, students with food allergies eat lunch at a peanut-free table, Reno said. That ensures an allergic child isn't eating while siting next to someone eating peanut butter or other food with nuts.

"While that's good to make sure there isn't the chance of exposure, it also means the children aren't eating lunch with their friends and classmates," Reno said. "That's just one of the ways allergies are rough on children -- safety comes before friendship."

The good news about food allergies, Reno said, is society is becoming more accommodating. Food suppliers are putting information on labels. Even if a product doesn't include nuts, the label will disclose the product was created in a place where nuts are also processed -- warning that, however remote, cross-contamination is possible.

"Food allergies can make life difficult," Reno said. "Bringing awareness to them makes it easier, and helps people understand better."