This time around, senior members of the Northern Lehigh community can get in the holiday spirit the way it was meant to be.

The Northern Lehigh Senior Citizens Holiday Program will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Slatington Elementary School.

Those who attend will be treated to a turkey dinner for lunch. They will also hear music, poems and jokes from the students.

Seniors should call the Slatington Elementary office at 610-767-9821 by Nov. 18 to make a reservation.

In addition to the meal, each guest will receive a box of cookies.

Anyone who is interested in donating cookies toward the cause may drop them off at the school by 2 p.m. Dec. 12. Staff members box the cookies after school.

Shawn Green, an event coordinator, said the holiday event gives the students and staff a chance to share the holiday spirit with the Northern Lehigh community.

“Everyone should feel, and share in, the spirit of Christmas,” Green said. “It’s a win for the entire community.”

Green said this will be the first year since the onset of COVID-19 that the event will take place at the elementary school.

Last year, the school held a Senior Citizens Cookie Drive-Thru in which seniors were able to collect their holiday cookies prepared by students and families as they enjoyed holiday music performed by the students.

In December 2019, the school held its 39th annual Senior Citizen Holiday Program and Holiday Dinner.

“This event allows us to reach out to the seniors who live in assisted living accommodations, and gives them an opportunity to share in the festivities of the holidays,” Green said. “We provide a holiday meal, as well as holiday entertainment provided by the students.”

Green said the staff began preparation for the event back on Oct. 1.

“It takes a lot of time and manpower to plan the meal, provide transportation, teach the students the songs, make an art gift for each guest, and prepare the building in preparation for the event,” he said. “The event has grown so much over the years that we need to cap the number of senior guests at 150.”