A Jim Thorpe couple who has been involved in Lionism in the community for decades has been selected to serve as grand marshals of the 28th Annual Jim Thorpe Halloween Parade which begins at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.

James and Sandra Gallagher will be the guests of honor for the parade which is sponsored by the Jim Thorpe Lions Club for the 12th consecutive year. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 29.

“We are thrilled to have Sandy and Jim as the grand marshal,” said Pam McElmoyle, president of the Jim Thorpe Lions Club. “Sandy was actually the first female member of the Jim Thorpe Lions Club. She was determined to join the Lions after the Lioness disbanded here in town. The Gallaghers have volunteered countless hours over the years helping our community.”

“We are so humbled to be selected to be the grand marshals,” the Gallaghers said in a joint statement. “Thank you to everyone involved in this endeavor.”

The parade will line up at 1 p.m. in the Jim Thorpe Area High School parking lots. Registration for participants will be open until Monday, Oct. 23. For information, call 570-325-4104.

The parade will kick off at the high school, march down Center Street and turn on Ninth. It will then continue on North Street, turn on Third, and end at Third and Center streets.

Route 903 traffic, between Fifth and 10th streets, will be detoured from 1:45 p.m. until the parade passes Fifth Street. The detour will pass Evergreen and St. Joseph cemeteries.

Buses will then take participants back to Memorial Park for refreshments. First, second and third place awards will be given in the following categories: Best Float, Best Group and Most Original.

To register as a participant in the parade, send your organization’s name, address, contact person, phone number, and email address; as well as entry type (Float or Group), number of people and vehicles, and theme for your entry to Jim Thorpe Lions Club Halloween Parade Committee, P.O. Box 108, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229 by Oct. 17.

About the honorees

The Gallaghers, married for 36 years, have been involved in Lionism since the late 1980s.

Jim joined the Nesquehoning Lions Club in 1987, serving as secretary, and transferred to the Jim Thorpe club in 2001. He became that club’s secretary as well and has held the secretary’s duties for a combined 31 years. During his 35 years as a Lion, he has been awarded “Secretary Excellence” awards and plaques for his “Exemplary Performance” in those duties.

Sandra joined the new Jim Thorpe Lioness Club in 1999 and served as its president for many years. In 2007, she was the first woman to join the Jim Thorpe Lions Club and went on to be its president for two years. During her 24 years of membership, she was awarded certificates for being zone and region chairpersons, received the International Leadership Award, two Melvin Jones Fellowships and the Lions of Pennsylvania Fellow award.

Consistent with the Lions’ motto of “We Serve,” the Gallaghers are also involved in other community endeavors.

They spend time delivering Meals-on-Wheels weekly. Sandy also worked with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, Social Ministry, Willing Workers and Carbon County Volunteers for Literacy, all for which she received the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The Gallaghers have five children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Jim worked as a purchasing agent for General Motors for 32 years before retiring. After that he drove bus for four years for the Jim Thorpe Area School District and Getz Transportation.

Sandy spent 31 years teaching in the Northern Lehigh School District before retiring.