The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the cancellation of many school-sponsored activities the past two years, but a group of Lehighton Area Middle School parents made sure students went into the summer of 2021 on a high note.

Months of planning culminated with an event at the Mahoning Drive-In Theater complete with music, yard games and of course a movie to cap the night off.

“We just felt that after two years of these kids dealing with COVID-19 restrictions and losing out on their last two years of schooling normalcy, they deserved something,” said Carla Bowman, a middle school parent who helped organize the event.

In March, Bowman reached out to Virgil Cardamone, Mahoning Drive-In co-owner, to inquire about renting the venue. Only the parents didn’t have to rent it, as Cardamone offered it to the group at no charge.

“Mr. Cardamone was extremely accommodating from the start,” Bowman said. “He offered his venue for free, charging us only for what the students ate or drank and essentially let us set up whatever we wanted on his grounds.”

Lehigh Valley Health Network donated a popcorn and soda to each of the 102 students who attended the event. Nonweiler’s Amusements also donated over 100 bags of cotton candy and seven boxes of candy for their goody cups, and Jenny’s Sweets and More donated a lollipop to each student.

The parents group kicked off a Krispy Kreme doughnut and coffee fundraiser in May to raise funds.

“The parents and kids really stepped up to help us,” Bowman said. “Had it not been for them, the parents would have been paying for their kids individually. By doing a fundraiser, we were able to cover every single student’s food at the drive-in and purchase them keepsake gifts.”

Every student received a cinch bag with their name on it, a fleece blanket with the Lehighton logo and “Class of 2025,” a water koozie with “Straight Outta Middle School” printed on it, a foam light stick, glow sticks and a cup that said “I Survived LAMS” stuffed with candy.

“After months of planning, tons of donations from parents and the community, a gazillion emails, phone calls and long nights, we finally got to see it all come together,” Bowman said.

“The kids had an absolute blast celebrating their accomplishment of finishing their middle school years with their friends and we couldn’t have hoped for a more perfect evening.”

Games at the event included volleyball, kickball, yardzee, kanjam, bucket ball and yard twister.

The parents group also rented an inflatable Hungry Hippo from Metz Amusement.

“I would personally like to thank every business that donated, as they have all suffered through COVID-19, LAMS for being so helpful, and to the parents who really stepped up to help make this event so successful for our children,” Bowman said.

“We truly appreciate the support we’ve received over the past few months. It was truly incredible.”