‘Touch-A-Truck’ promotes education, positive atmosphere for youth

Published 6:11 pm Thursday, June 22, 2017

Giving children an opportunity to have fun and enjoyable moments with family members is the goal of different businesses and organizations within Carter County.
Continuing the trend, the third annual “Touch-A-Truck” free event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Joe O’Brien Field in Elizabethton.
The event, sponsored by Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition, Elizabethton Parks and Recreation, Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library, and the Carter County Health Department, gives children an opportunity to view a wide variety of vehicles to learn more about their uses, according to Jilian Reece with the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition.
“This is our third year of doing the event and each year, it just keeps getting better,” Reece said. “For the past two years, we’ve been able to have ‘Touch-A-Truck’ outside the Elizabethton Twins ballpark. We’ve been able to see nearly 200 kids each year and we’re hoping to see it grow even more this year.”
Different vehicles will be on display throughout the evening, including an Admiral Propane truck, a vehicle from Summer Industrial, different emergency personnel vehicles, a boat and motorcycles – which were organized by Pioneer Tattoo, located in Elizabethton.
“Children have a chance to go around to each of the stations and learn about each vehicle,” Reece said. “We appreciate everyone that’s helped with this year’s event.”
The first 100 children at the event will be able to take home a free book, courtesy of the public library. The county’s Teen Tobacco Board will also be at “Touch-A-Touch” to promote tobacco cessation and encourage their peers to sign pledges of support to steer clear of the products.
“Touch-A-Truck” is just one line item on a long list of activities the different organizations and businesses in the city and county look at organizing to help give area children a chance to go out and have fun in the community.
“Our biggest goal at Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition is to help their types of events to give children something to do in a fun, positive atmosphere and stay away from some of the negatives out there, like drug and alcohol abuse,” Reece said. “Being the mother of three, I love the chance to work with other great people in our community to organize these types of events.”
While taking part in the festivities outside Joe O’Brien, citizens are encouraged to come inside the stadium at 6 p.m. to watch the Elizabethton Twins face the Pulaski Mariners in Appalachian League play. The night will feature a bevy of activities for families.
For more information on upcoming events, visit the Carter County Drug Prevention Coalition Facebook page online.

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