Lehighton Community carnival to benefit charities

The Lehighton Community Carnival is going to take on a charitable feel in its fourth year.

Lehighton Area High School National Honor Society will be setting up a donation table in an effort to collect items for different churches and local organizations that help the homeless.

“We reached out to some churches and some other groups that gave us a list of supplies that they are most in need of so we’re asking people to donate what they can this weekend,” said Evan Beers, NHS treasurer. “Any way we can give back to the community, we’re looking to do that, and the carnival provides a great setting to help those who need it most.”

The carnival, sponsored by the Lehighton Education and Athletic Foundation, kicks off Thursday at 5 p.m. at the middle school practice field, Ninth and Mahoning streets in Lehighton.

The event features food, games, rides and entertainment all three days. It is open Thursday from 5-9 p.m., with a performance by the Lehighton Area High School band at 6:30 p.m. A ride wristband special is available for $15 on Thursday night and from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday. Friday’s hours are 5-10 p.m. with a performance from 6-9 p.m. by Another Day Dawns. Saturday concludes the event from 1-10 p.m. with a performance from 6-8 p.m. by Vagabond.

NHS held a meeting to kick around ideas of what they could do at the carnival. Each year, members help sell ride tickets and volunteer their time in other regards, but this time they wanted to do more.

“We decided helping the homeless would be the best option for us,” Beers said. “The homeless shelters we talked to said they’re always very busy, and any help they can get, they are very appreciative of that. We’ll have different boxes and bins on site so you can drop off whatever you want right there and we’ll take care of it from there.”

The items included on wish lists from Family Promise, Peaceful Knights, the Zion food pantry, Trinity Lutheran Church and the St. Peters Community Resource Center include toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning products, trash bags, hand towels, bath towels, household items, fast food or grocery gift cards, soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and baby products and food.

“None of it will go to waste,” Beers said. “If the shelters can’t use it right now, they also can give some things to individuals who do find temporary housing to take with them as a startup package in that housing.”

The carnival started in 2016 as a partnership between LEAF and the high school’s Interact club.

Nonweiler Amusements Midway Inc. will be providing the rides.

LEAF provides funding for things such as student scholarships, grants for teachers, and the district’s STEAM initiative, including three camps during the summer.

“This is just a great event to bring your family and friends out to and have a good time,” Beers said. “It’s wonderful to see all of the town really come together. It’s a good thing for the town of Lehighton.”