It may be the middle of winter, but that hasn't stopped the Lehighton Area Pool Pals from thinking summer.

The organization plans to bring something new and exciting to the pool this year, according to Mark Hoffman, president of the organization.Hoffman said the group has been busy with their fundraising efforts as it looks to raise enough money to purchase a children's sliding board to replace the deteriorated palm tree in the walk section of the pool."The slide will be in the shape of a multicolored fish that is sure to give hours of enjoyment to the smaller patrons of the pool, as well as those regulars who enjoy watching the children enjoying themselves," Hoffman said.The cost of the fish is over $12,000, but Hoffman said he's confident that with the support of the residents of the community, along with the businesses, they will be able to raise the money.The group has already received a generous donation of $5,000 from Blue Ridge Pressure Casting toward the cost, Hoffman said.Hoffman also said the organization is working hard on its annual Cabin Fever Dance, scheduled for Feb. 27, as well as their annual Yard Sale/Basket Raffle scheduled for April 16.The group has already received $900 in donations from R.F. Ohl Fuel Oil, Thrivent Financial and Jim Thorpe National Bank to help defray the cost of the dance, Hoffman said.In addition, he said the group is looking forward to supporting Lehighton's sesquicentennial celebration.To support this historic event, Pool Pals will hold their traditional Family Fun Night from noon to 5 p.m. July 1.Admission to Family Fun "Day" will be $1.50 thanks to a very generous donation from Trinity Lutheran Church.Along with their normal fun games like the water balloon toss, at 1:50 p.m., 150 hot dogs will be given away, and closer to 5 p.m., 150 goldfish will be released in the baby pool.Hoffman said this year marks the 10th year the Lehighton Area Pool Pals has been together as a group.In 2008, they changed their mission statement from "Save the Pool" to "Creating Lifetime Memories."The addition of the fish slide is sure to support their mission statement for young and old alike, Hoffman said.