The S.S. Palmer and Parkside Education Center PTO faced an uncertain future for its annual Palmerton Community Festival fundraiser until a group of community members and local businesses stepped in to construct a brand-new stand in time for this year’s event.

“Our stand was falling apart,” PTO President Amanda Pacheaco said. “The floor was sagging, the roof was leaking — you name it, it needed repairs.”

The festival, she added, is one of the PTO’s largest fundraisers, and losing it would have created a significant budget shortfall.

When earlier repair plans collapsed late in the summer, the group turned to Earl Paules, Palmerton’s school board president and local business owner, who had stored the stand on his property for years.

“Earl offered, without hesitation, and began work immediately,” Pacheaco said. “We gave him less than three weeks to get this project done. We were nervous because offers had previously fallen through, but he, along with his wife, Danielle, Brad Grammes and Joey Grammes, kept us updated and included us in the process.”

Paules set out to have the materials donated so the PTO could keep its funds for student opportunities.

“From day one, we knew that Earl’s goal was to get the supplies for the stand donated, allowing us to keep our budget and money in our account for students,” Pacheaco said.

The new stand came fully equipped.

“It has blue and white lights on the soffit to show our Blue Bomber pride, sliding windows, laminate flooring, a complete roof and gutters, electricity, a locking door and cabinets for our supplies,” Pacheaco said. “A brand-new sign was the final addition to give it ownership.”

Except for two windows and paint, all the supplies were donated.

“We also received an incredibly generous amount of monetary donations from local businesses and individuals, which we are so grateful for,” she said.

The PTO expressed thanks to Earl and Danielle Paules, Brad Grammes Construction, Joey Grammes, Scott Stenack Electric, All Trade Construction, George’s Plumbing and Heating, Bradco Systems Inc., Penn Valley Garage Doors, Your Building Centers, Affordable Roofing, DeSousa Oil and Service, T and M Flooring, Forest Inn Service Center, Ahner’s Plumbing and Heating, Bobby Myers Painting, Stone Ridge Realty, Blue Mountain Gutter and Future Homes Custom Builders.

“We feel humbled, but also reassured and confident that this school year we can provide enriching opportunities for our students,” Pacheaco said.

Paules credited the teamwork that made the project possible.

“I couldn’t have done this without our local businesses,” he said. “All I had to do was ask, and they said yes without hesitation.”

He reflected on the tradition of local businesses stepping up to help.

“Your Building Center has just about everything we need right here,” Paules said. “Scott Stenack is one of the best electricians, and George’s Plumbing and Heating and DeSousa Oil have always been there for us. To give back, we should support them, because they always support us.”

Even final details came together at the last minute.

“Blue Mountain Gutter put the gutters on Labor Day morning,” Paules said. “I just thought we should have them, because if it rains, it always makes a mess down there.”

The finished product exceeded expectations.

“This thing is the Cadillac of Cadillacs,” Paules said.