Paws the lion, Lincoln Elementary School's mascot, warmly greeted customers as they entered the Barnes & Noble store in the Promenade Shops of Saucon Valley on the evening of Dec. 9.
For the third consecutive year, the Emmaus school's PTO sponsored a fund-raising book fair -- called the "Great Nighttime Reading Adventure" -- at the Upper Saucon store.
Face painting, a scavenger hunt, teacher-readers and music by the Lincoln Hand Chime Choir and Chorus were a few of the activities throughout the evening.
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Guest author Eli Kowalski and his dog Kushka welcomed children and their families as he signed copies of his new book, "Kushka: The Dog Named Cat." The B&N café also offered the Lincoln mascot's special drink, "Paws Snowy Potion."
Said Lincoln principal Dr. Jackie Attinello: "The event was well attended and quite successful!"
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Barnes & Noble offers the fund raising to any school. Lincoln Elementary made $300 the first year and $400 in 2009, but those two events lasted only several hours.
This year the in-store fund raising has been extended for three days, concluding Dec. 11. The on-line fund raising continues for five days, through Dec. 14. That combination should give the PTO much more money for the school.
A percentage of store profits from all book, gift, toy, Nook, music, DVD and cafe sales will benefit the Lincoln PTO for upcoming school needs such as field trips, playground equipment and teacher requests, including calculators.
Lisa Drew, PTO chairperson of the "Great Nighttime Reading Adventure," said they hope to use the money for educational items such as library books, microscopes and other tangible goods that can be used by future Lincoln students.
Profits generated for the school range from one to 20 percent, depending how much is sold and what payment methods are used.
While fund raising for the PTO ends Dec. 11 in the store, it continues on-line until Dec. 14.
Those interested in helping the Lincoln Elementary PTO can use the book fair ID -- 10246726 -- upon checkout, whether in stores or on-line all over the country and internationally.
(Editor's Note: The author/photographer has a child attending Lincoln Elementary but she is not a member of the PTO.)