COEUR d'ALENE — An oversized Jenga tower stood nearly 30 levels tall, beckoning Lakes Middle School sixth grader Tucker Bowman to pull the final block.

"It really hurt my heart to pull that one, but I kind of knew I had to do it," Tucker said, grinning after playing a competitive game at the Kootenai Technical Education Campus station.

Games and family fun were just a slice of the excitement Wednesday evening at Lakes Middle School, where masses of families, faculty, staff and community members celebrated the school's annual Lakesgiving.

The Thanksgiving precursor is a time for Lakes families to enjoy a holiday meal while sharing camaraderie with other families and the educators who spend the school days with their kids. It has grown from a community meal to an open house with community vendors, resources, games and other entertainment.

"It's a way to come together and have fun and eat and stuff yourself," eighth grader Jaiden Rae DeTienne said, enjoying a piece of Dubble Bubble gum.

Fellow eighth grader Finn Adams said he thinks it's cool his school hosts such an event.

"It gives people an opportunity to bond together," he said. "Also, some people might not be to get a Thanksgiving dinner, so this gives those people an opportunity for that. I think it's a really good cause."

Lakes mom Bri Kelly said as a parent, she thinks Lakesgiving is awesome.

"I think it's nice they can bring all the families together like a community and we get together and share some food around the holidays," she said.

Her stepdaughter, Lakes sixth grader Alissa Tee, said she also really enjoyed the event.

"You get food, you can see your friends and hang out with them," she said.

Another Lakes mom, Leah Powell, attended with son Kellen, a sixth grader, and daughter Khloe, 8.

"I like to do anything and everything possible that's kid-oriented that they offer, so we of course accepted the invitation," Powell said. "I like that they combined it into conferences, it's nice, and I did not expect all this, so I think it's lovely and it makes me love this community that much more."

Khloe gave it a thumbs up. Kellen said the Lakes community is super fun.

"The people that are donating support our school and make our school more fun every day," he said.

Lakesgiving has been a tradition for about 11 years, ever since longtime Lakes teacher Chad Booth learned that some Lakes students didn't have access to traditional Thanksgiving meals.

"I used my trusted contacts and Lakesgiving was started," Booth said. "Real Life Ministries Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene stepped up to the plate by purchasing the turkeys and other dinner essentials, along with Christ the King Church, to have one of the best Thanksgiving dinner feasts." 

Other organizations joined through the years to provide games and financial assistance. Second Harvest Foods has also provided extra food for the week of Thanksgiving break for families in need, Booth said.

All food for Lakesgiving is donated.

"From free dental check ups and athletic physicals to free eye exams from local doctors, Lakesgiving and the staff at Lakes just want to thank our community, students and their families for the opportunity to serve and educate the youth in our area," Booth said. 

Booth estimated as many as 15,000 people have been served since the event's inception. Last year saw a record 2,600 attendees.

"It's not too often that a school can attract around 1,500 community members into their doors," Vice Principal Aaron Drake said, adding how thankful Lakes is to serve its families in this capacity.

"This event actually embodies the work our staff and entire school district fulfills on a day-to-day basis for students," Drake said. "Our staff has a heart to serve students every day and does so with a selfless spirit. This event showcases community resources and is a way to tangibly say as a school that our heart is to bless the community we serve with a meal while simply saying, 'Thank you for letting us serve your children at Lakes.'"

Through Lakesgiving, students and families are also identified who might need extra assistance over the holidays, such as toys for Christmas, utility bills and new winter coats.

"Many vendors set up booths and hand out swag to interested attendees," Booth said. "It's the best night of the year at Lakes. Also, it's the best-attended conference night in the Coeur d'Alene School District."

    Sam Lilley and Linda Bauer prep rotisserie chicken Wednesday evening during Lakesgiving at Lakes Middle School. All the food served during the annual event is donated by generous people and organizations in the community.
  

    Kristin Parker covers her ears as Lakes Middle School sixth grader Tucker Bowman pulls the last brick from the mega Jenga tower at the KTEC station Wednesday during Lakes' 2023 Lakesgiving.
  

    Lakes mom Emily Trujillo says, "Just a little bit, please" to school nurse and kitchen volunteer Sara Robson as plates are served Wednesday during Lakesgiving.