Touch-a-Truck event to help local families

By TAYLOR BROWN
tbrown@yourmvi.com
An area church – and dozens of volunteers and organizations – are hoping to make a larger-than-life impact in the Magic City this weekend.
The “Touch a Truck: Touch a Life” fundraiser hosted by CityReach Church in Charleroi is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Charleroi Community Park. Even though the event, formerly known as Day of Hope, has a new name this year, its mission remains the same.
In its fifth year, CityReach Pastor Gregg Anders said the event continues to grow, aiding thousands of families each fall.
This year, CityReach Church is partnering with the Christian Center, based in Rostraver Township, to host the fundraiser.
Anders said he reached out to the Christian Center, which usually sponsors an annual school supply giveaway, to collaborate events. By partnering, the churches can cut expenses while expanding outreach.
After recognizing the success of other Touch-a-Truck events across the Valley, they decided to adopt the concept and expand the event to help area children and families obtain free clothing, groceries, haircuts and school supplies. There will also be a free kid zone, health services and education through trucks and other emergency and utility vehicles.
“So, from there we decided to start calling the event Touch A Truck: Touch A Life, because ultimately, that is exactly what we are trying to do,” Anders said.
In addition to up-close experience with the trucks and buses, giveaways and services, the event will also serve as a vendor show with nearly a dozen craft vendors and two food trucks. Three hundred free lunches will be provided and entertainment will be provided by the CityReach worship team, the Cool Hip Priest and the Todd Moyer Band.
The event is free for families, but parents and/or guardians must be present with their children in order for them to receive services. Families and children will register at the entrance to the event.
In addition to school supplies, children will be able to receive clothes that have been stored, packed, washed and organized by special education students in the Charleroi Area School District, as well as haircuts, games and activities.
Families will also receive a bag of groceries upon leaving.
Representatives from SPHS, Rite Aid, Highmark will be in attendance.
The kid zone will feature inflatable games such as an obstacle course, football game, axe throwing and Connect Four basketballs.
There will also be stationed activities such as a rubber duck fishing pond and corn hole, with balloon artists and face painters also offering fun.
Trucks will include emergency vehicles and utility vehicles, police vehicles and others from West Penn Power and Waste Management.
Anders said volunteers keep the event running smoothly and include many Mon Valley residents, churches, businesses and students from area school districts and California University of Pennsylvania.
“I am honored and humbled by those who step up every year to help us with this blessing,” Anders said. “I am so grateful to all of you and especially my wife, Joyce, who does so much behind the scenes to make this possible, who stands beside me and always supports my ideas no matter how big they are.”
Volunteers are still welcome for the event and will need to arrive by 10 a.m. Saturday to get ready for the opening ceremony.
Volunteers are also needed to set up 5 p.m. Friday and tear down following the event on Saturday.
For more information on how to help, go to the event page on Facebook, Day of Hope Charleroi: Touch A Truck Touch A Life.