There were plenty of activities, plus free food and music, to attract a big crowd to the first Lehighton School Community/Educational/Safety Program on Thursday night at the Baer Memorial Swimming Pool, Lehighton.

The event brought together more than two dozen organizations in a shared attempt to provide safe and educational activities for Lehighton's children, in kindergarten through 12th grade.Despite cool temperatures, the pool was filled with children enjoying the second organized free swimming day at the pool this year.Sue Holland, a Title I teacher and organizer of the event, was pleased with attendance, estimated at over 600, and the way parents gathered up the information available.Holland said the concept of the event began with teachers at a Title I meeting, discussing how to keep children learning throughout the summer."We wanted to bring local government, education and safety together and this was the end result," she said.Holland feels there is often a big gap in children's learning during the summer."If this event touches at least five families it was worth it," she said. "We had information about basic safety, self-awareness, bullying, obesity and lots of educational materials to take home. It was a good collaborative effort of the school district, police and government."The event allowed families to register for free prizes by having a card punched after reaching each of the stations set up by the organizations. Each person also received a free hot dog, compliments of Heintzelman's Meat Market, which was served by members of Lehighton council and school board members.A combination of groups and organizations from the borough, school district, and the county, along with state and local police, participated.Title 1 math and reading teachers provided families with fun "make and take learning activities."Kristin Harris of Carbon County Right from the Start, provided flyers about using sun screen and the danger of skin cancer."We're promoting use your noodle and use sun screen," said Harris. Each child was able to make a noodle necklace.Evalynn Kuehner of Carbon County Early Child and Education Center was promoting early education and quality child care.Donna Austin-Ahner, director of St. Matthew Preschool, provided markers and bingo blotters for children to use."It's about using their fine motor skills," said Austin-Ahner.Deb McKain of Lehighton high school provided information about Internet safety; while Lisa Haydt, English as a Second Language teacher, provided ELS information.Kali Andrew presented information about the Lehighton Shine program, which gives children in grades one to five a boost in reading and math. She said that Lehigh Carbon Community College provided the grant for the program.Andrea Boyer, a Title I math teacher at Franklin Elementary School, provided brightly colored plastic buckets filled with flashcards to families, and Marsha Long, Title I reading teacher, gave families a beach ball designed to improve reading and comprehension skills.The Lehighton Library promoted its Summer Reading Program and Christy Kroboth of Family Promise of Carbon County presented information that will support homeless families in the area. She noted that only three more churches need to come on board to launch the program.Carbon County Realtors Association had a fish pond and Judy Hoppes of the American Cancer Society promoted the "Slip, Slop and Slap" program, which encourages people to "Slip on a shirt, Slop on sunscreen, and Slap on a shirt," to prevent skin cancer.Blue Mountain Health System had information on childhood obesity, and Mountain Karate Academy promoted upcoming special needs karate classes.Susan DiFluri of Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit, helped children make stress balls using flour and balloons."Our activity was stressful because the materials didn't work so well," laughed DiFluri. Still, many people stopped by to try the activity.The Pennsylvania State Police were on hand to photograph and fingerprint all school-aged children. Parents were given "Fot-O-Kid ID." kits. The Lehighton Police Department presented a program on bike safety, demonstrating on the "coconut crusher," which illustrates the importance of wearing a helmet when riding a bike.The police gave away about 350 cable gun locks.A free check of infant and toddler car seats was done by the Carbon County Safe Kids in the pool parking lot and the Lehighton fire department's water rescue team demonstrated a water rescue in the deep water end of the pool. Other groups taking part were Carbon-Monroe-Pike Mental Health/Mental Retardation, Pool Pals, the Bo Tkach Foundation, Lehighton Life Guards, Carbon County Drug and Alcohol Organization, Lehighton Cheerleaders, and Lehighton community businesses."The Doc," Layne Roberts from Penn's Peak Radio, provided free music for the event.