By Jessica Dillon
Youngsters climbed aboard emergency, construction and utility vehicles during the Charity League’s annual Touch-a-Truck event Saturday at Hooker Field.
Held outside the main gate, the event gave families an opportunity to explore a variety of vehicles and meet the people who operate them. Children also received popsicles and goodie bags, and families interested in attending the Martinsville Mustangs game that evening could pick up free tickets.
Touch-a-Truck Chair Maegan Nelson said the event has become one of the Charity League’s signature community activities.
“The Charity League has done this touch truck event every year for many years. This is the 1st time that I have personally helped out with it, but it’s one of our big community events that we put on for the community,” Nelson said.
Among the vehicles on display were the Henry County Sheriff’s Office SWAT vehicle, local fire trucks, bucket trucks, Martinsville Police Department vehicles and a tractor.
“Thankfully, a lot of the vehicles and trucks and companies we’ve had connections with for years since we’ve been doing Touch-a-Trucks,” Nelson said.
Nelson said the event introduces children to careers that help keep the community running while giving families a chance to interact with local organizations.
“Absolutely, and I think it exposes, um, the kids to what our community has, what it is that we need as a community to function, police officers, firefighters, construction, and honestly, too, just making those connections with the families and the kids. It’s all about making our community a better place for the kids. And I just take a touch truck event, do that for our kids, and honestly, for all the families as well.”
She said the event has grown significantly over the years.
“Ever since I’ve been in the league, it’s just been growing and grows every year. The first year that I came to a touch truck, it was just a few trucks, and now it’s grown to law enforcement and construction, motorcycles, dirt bikes, inflatables, face painting, it just kind of is an all-encompassing, just family fun for the entire family.”
In addition to Touch-a-Truck, Nelson highlighted other Charity League programs that support local children and students.
“The Charity League, we help out with P&HCC. They do a theater program for the kids. I think it’s coming up in late July, maybe early August. We help out with that. In the winter, at Christmas time, we help out with another Christmas program where we work with the local middle and high schools, determining which students may need a little extra love at Christmas time. And then, of course, in the spring, we do our scholarships for our graduating seniors going to four-year universities.”
