ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The parade committee has selected a pair of devoted community members to help carry on one of Allentown’s most celebrated traditions.
Michael and Samantha Griffin have been selected as King and Queen of the 67th Annual Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade, according to a press release from the parade committee.
Mike and Sam are both very proud to be Irish. Mike is from the 18th ward and traces his family back to County Mayo, while both Samantha’s parents are from County Clare. Samantha’s parents proudly represented the parade as King & Queen in 2016, and the couple considers it a privilege to carry on that legacy.
Michael and Samantha are hardworking members of the community. A graduate of William Allen High School, Mike has been an electrician for Diefenderfer Electrical for 13 years and a member of the Allentown Electrical Union for the past 25 years.
An Emmaus High alumna, Sam works for the Parkland School District as the head cook at Schnecksville School. She is adored by staff and students alike because of the hard work, dedication, and love for the children.
Michael and Samantha married in 2010 and celebrated their 15th anniversary on Nov. 6. They are dedicated parents, joined by their four children: Tyler 25, Delaney 22, Sylvia 14 and Marcus 12, at all the St. Patrick’s Parade events. Mike and Sam actively support their community through their involvement with Parkland Sports, and Mike is currently coaching 5v5 Flag Football for South Parkland.
Michael and Samantha’s dedication to the greater community does not stop there. The couple has enthusiastically volunteered with the parade for over 12 years, attending every event and always willing to lend a hand.
Samantha happily accepted the role of Secretary of the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade Committee in 2022. Michael serves as Pub Crawl Chairperson, and the couple leads the Parade Float Contest each year, organizing and handing out prizes. Their dedication to the parade and support of the Irish community is evident at every meeting and event.
Outside of the parade their community involvement extends to the Macungie Halloween Parade, and they are active board members of Mandee’s Lunchbox, a nonprofit that help adults fighting cancer. This non-profit is in memory of their sister Amanda Faidley Layton. They have helped turn pain into purpose by helping others fighting cancer. Mike and Samantha have helped grow this nonprofit that donates monthly to Lehigh Valley Hospital, St Luke’s Hospital, MD Anderson, Johns Hopkins, Cooper Breast Center. With their support and hard work Mandee’s Lunchbox is thriving and has given over $180,000 in gift cards to adults fighting cancer since 2020. This nonprofit has helped over 3,500 people with the help of Mike and Sam’s dedication and love, according to the release.
Michael and Samantha are dedicated to sharing their Irish heritage with their children and community. Their involvement with both the Allentown St. Patrick’s Parade and Mandee’s Lunchbox is a testimony to their desire to give to others and enrich the world they live in.