It’s a morning filled with music, joy, and laughter.

If that weren’t enough, it also comes with the added perk of a free turkey meal for lunch.

All that and more awaits senior members of the Northern Lehigh community who attend the 43rd Annual Senior Citizen Holiday Program.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at Slatington Elementary School, and is being organized by Sarah Fink, a fourth-grade teacher at the school.

School Principal Todd Breiner said the program will include entertainment from the Slatington Elementary School students and staff, cookie treats, ornament gifts, student designed placemats, and a free holiday meal and dessert for the NLSD senior citizen community in attendance served by the Slatington Elementary School Student Council.

Breiner added that the 150 attendees, which places the program at max capacity, will enjoy choral arrangements by all of students in third, fourth, fifth and sixth grades under the direction of general music teacher, and instrumental band director, Steven Jonkman.

He said they also will enjoy instrumental music by the Slatington Elementary School Band.

Breiner noted that students in all grades have assisted in the creation of gifts and placements for guests under the guidance of Slatington Elementary School art teacher Brittany Warner.

He said that Fink, along with Karen Beltz, Slatington Elementary School Administrative Assistant, have organized the meal, invitations, and all of the communication that went out to the community and families for cookie donations.

“This event is a yearly hit and has reached full capacity for reservations very quickly this year,” Breiner said.

Breiner said that on Monday, students, faculty, staff, and families will donate cookies which will be boxed for the senior citizen guests.

He said in addition to those senior citizens who would be transporting themselves to the event, bus runs will be made to the local senior living facilities in Slatington and Walnutport including Dillard Manor, Mt. View Apartments, and Eastern Comfort Assisted Living. Those unable to attend in person from the senior living facilities will be provided with a box of cookies and a gift upon return of the attendees.

Breiner said the meal is being prepared by the Northern Lehigh School District Food Service department.

He said special thanks goes to Sarah Fink, Karen Beltz, Steven Jonkman, Brittany Warner, and Dylan Hofmann for organizing and running the event, and that thanks should also be given to Nichole Fink and Chris Mann and their staff for assisting with food, set up, and clean up.

Breiner added that special thanks also goes to Krise Transportation, the Northern Lehigh School District contracted transportation company, for donating the buses and drivers donating their time to transportation senior citizens to Slatington Elementary School for the event, and added thanks should be given to the Slatington Elementary School students, faculty, staff and families for all their assistance, donations, and participation in the event.

“Slatington Elementary School is honored to host this amazing event each year, and is extremely excited for the opportunity to have good fellowship with the community,” he said.