Nearly 1500 people attended the third annual Lehighton School and Community Education/Safety program held Thursday at the Lehighton Memorial Pool.

The event was sponsored by the Lehighton Area School District, Title One Department and the Lehighton Pool. Coordinating the event was Suzanne Howland, elementary principal and Patti Ebbert and Missy Ebbert.Throughout the evening, family with young children could learn about many things, enjoy a free dip in the pool, listen to music by the Doctor of Penn's Peak Radio, and enjoy free hot dogs and snacks.There was information about Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol information, mental health information, Crime Watch, pet adoption, homeless information, and in the education end, there were plenty of places to for parents to get information how to help their child improve in reading and math and receive free books. Offering books were the Lehighton Area Library, Title I and Right from the Start. Jack and Jill Preschool had an obstacle course and Dream Come True - Blue Ridge Chapter offered information about their wish granting organization. Also presenting information was Mountain Karate Academy, Venture Crew Boy Scout Troop 82, Overlook Deer Farm and the East Penn and Franklin PTOs had a membership drive. The Carbon County Association of Realtors presented coloring books and the American Cancer Society had information on skin cancer. OAA, orthopedic specialists presented information on physical ailments and the Lehighton Booster Club presented membership information.During the two and 1/2 hours of the event, the pool was used by the children who enjoyed the refreshing water on a night when the temperature was perfect for a swim.Parents were asked to visit each station and then were offered the opportunity to win raffle items donated by local businesses and organization.The goal of the evening was to bridge the gap between school and community by providing a free, educational/safety awareness program. Lehighton borough and school members prepared and served the hot dogs.Twenty plus agencies participated in the event."We had a great event," said Howland. "I'd say there were at least 1500 here. We gave away 1000 hot dogs and snacks."