Many families look forward to Labor Day weekend as a time to have a barbecue or get out the RV before fall arrives.

A group of parents and volunteers from Panther Valley School District had a somewhat different idea this year. They gave up their weekend to put a fresh coat of paint on the hallways of the high school.

The team of volunteers worked from Friday evening through late Sunday night to get the job done.

“I think that’s pretty generous that they came in over the holiday weekend. It really looks terrific. Everybody has been complimentary,” said Principal Joseph Gunnels.

About 25 people contributed some time, whether it was an hour or two or the entire weekend. Angela Krapf, who came up with the idea to paint the school, said volunteers were in the school for about 30 hours throughout the weekend. They started Friday night just after students left for the day. They returned Saturday morning and painted all day. Then on Sunday they returned again and painted late into the night.

They were able to paint the main hallways of the school, with the exception of a classroom wing which they hope to take care of soon.

“I’m really excited that we were able to get the majority of it finished,” Krapf said.

Krapf and the other volunteers had noticed that the paint in the hallways was peeling. They also wanted the colors to match the junior high wing of the school, which opened in 2015.

In order to get permission for the project, Krapf and a group of supporters attended a school board meeting last month. She used social media to invite parents after she said the school denied her permission to paint in the school, and quoted a price for paint which she said was higher than it actually cost.

Krapf found businesses that supported the project. True Value Hardware in Nesquehoning gave a 10 percent discount and 4 free gallons of paint.

Another store in Hazleton gave them 50 percent off paint.

The volunteers who worked on the project included teachers and school board members.

Superintendent Dennis Kergick said the project was a wonderful effort by the volunteers, and thanked Krapf for pulling it together.

“The work effort was wonderful by the volunteers. They all worked very hard all weekend,” Kergick said.

Gunnels said the new paint promotes a good learning atmosphere.

Kim Laird, a junior high school English teacher, praised the combined effort of all the volunteers.

“This is what can happen when a community comes together to do something right and good and needed,” she said.