Catasauqua Middle School parents held a basket raffle fundraiser to support the upcoming eighth-grade formal. The event was held March 6 and 7 at Salem United Church of Christ, 615 Third St.

There was a number of volunteers to help make the event a success. It was noted Jennifer Gass was the spearhead of the event. An unassuming leader, she explained what the fundraising gathering was all about and said there were about 80 prizes to be raffled.

There were numerous baskets and gift cards with a tri-fold poster labeled as the gift card board. Another tri-fold poster held higher-priced gift cards.

The kitchen was full of volunteers serving attendees. They offered hot dogs, snacks, refreshments and homemade baked goods. Three youngsters — Jonathon Jones, Jacob Thompson and Caleb Boyd — staffed the baked goods table.

Ruth Boyd and Amanda Snyder were busy as they staffed the ticket sales table. Both were focused on a rush of visitors seeking tickets to hopefully win a basket and support the eighth-graders planning to attend the end-of-year formal.

Preschool student Aubrey Snyder enjoyed some chips with sister Ava Snyder and Kaylee Brown. Aubrey was visibly happy hanging with her older sister and her friend.

The eighth-grade end-of-year formal dance celebrates the completion of a major milestone, fostering social skills and community. The formal acts as a rite of passage into high school that offers closure to the middle school experience, boosting morale and creating lasting, positive memories.

By all measures, the basket social, assembled by eighth-graders’ parents and attended by family members and the larger community, presented itself as the prelude to a successful transition for the CMS eighth-grade students to enhanced success at Catasauqua High School.