Two Lehighton elementary schools took a unique approach to funding their Parent Teacher Organizations this year.

Instead of traditional fundraisers, parents from Mahoning and Shull-David elementary schools came up with an event that was fun for students and raised a surprising amount.The first-ever "Race for Education" took place Friday.The idea for the event was simple: Students asked their family and friends to donate money to help the PTO in exchange for students participating in the "race.""Absolutely, this is more fun than traditional fundraisers," said Tammy Serfass, Mahoning Elementary PTO president.The idea is that by working together, the two schools could raise more than they could on their own. They already share a principal. Families exceeded expectations.On Friday, students held up their end of the deal. While they circulated the track, a DJ parents doused them with colored chalk, turning the students - clad in white T-shirts donated by the PTO for the event - and even some parents into a mix of purple, green and orange.To warm up, students could run through an obstacle course and take a Zumba class.The PTO funds field trips to local attractions such as the Crayola Factory, Crystal Cave, the state Capitol and other events that would not be possible without private fundraising. And as of Friday, they had raised an impressive $25,000. Principal Aaron Sebelin said the schools hadn't come close to raising that much money with their previous fundraisers."I really appreciate the community members, teachers, parents and the PTO for coming together to make this happen," Sebelin said.