NORTHAMPTON — Tristan Smith scanned the aisles of A2Z Science & Learning Store with intensity as he searched for the perfect toys.

The gifts the Northampton High School senior volunteered to pick out Thursday will go to a 9-year-old boy in the Pioneer Valley who otherwise would have gone without this holiday season.

“He doesn’t really have much,” Smith said of the child as he placed a glowing chemistry set into his basket. “I could relate to that as a kid.”

Smith represented Jeromie Whalen’s first period technology class, which pooled money with another class to buy the boy presents. In all, Northampton High School will buy gifts for 17 local kids, most of whom are in the foster system.

Whalen’s class alone collected about $200, enough to buy the chemistry set, a toy microscope, a mini-drone, a yo-yo and three variations of volcanoes — the boy named “volcano” as his No. 1 Christmas wish.

Northampton High coordinates the collection through Berkshire Children & Families, which amasses presents each year for around 100 children ages 2 to 15 who live in Hampshire and Hampden counties.

Marylou Spaulding, site coordinator for the nonprofit’s Hadley office, said Northampton High is the only school that helps in those efforts. Many local businesses and area churches, including Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Northampton and Our Lady of the Hills Parish in Haydenville, also chip in.

Donors are given a child’s first name, age and a wishlist. Spaulding said the collection process is a bit more individualized than the more mainstream Toys for Tots drives.

“It’s specific for the children, instead of people just dropping off toys,” she said.

Karen Sullivan, Northampton High secretary and coordinator of the drive, said two classes are paired to raise money for one child. On average, $75 is usually raised for each kid, but the money is distributed somewhat evenly to make sure wishes are fulfilled.

“We don’t want to focus on the amount,” Sullivan said. “It’s more that the kids get their kids that they need.”

Whalen said many of his students “were straight taking quarters out of their pockets.” One teen donated more than $20 in coins.

The technology teacher took two students to A2Z to pick out the toys.

“It feels good,” said sophomore Levi Civjan, who joined Smith and documented the shopping trip with his camera. “When the whole class comes together it feels like you’re helping out more than you could alone.”

Smith said he put himself in the child’s shoes as he looked for gifts: What did he like to play with when he was in fourth grade?

Whalen said the experience of choosing the presents for a specific child — even if it takes just half an hour on a Thursday afternoon — is valuable to his students.