PARSIPPANY — The Kiwanis Club of Greater Parsippany held it’s 7th Annual “Touch-a-Truck,” an interactive, hands-on event at which children and their families can see emergency and construction vehicles close up. The event was held on Saturday, June 16.
Touch-a-Truck creates a learning experience for kids, allowing them to look, see, touch, ask questions of the operators of the trucks, and it gives them the opportunity to meet some of Parsippany’s first responders. From big rigs to emergency vehicles, children of all ages were encouraged to explore and investigate.
This year there were Police Cars, Fire Trucks, Ambulances, State Police Helicopter, Tow Trucks, Cranes, Garbage Trucks, Cement Mixers, Taxi’s and so much more… Dogs, Face Painting, a balloon artist and music.
The food truck was staffed by volunteers of Rose House. All money earned at the food truck is going towards improving the lives of adults with developmental disabilities.
IHOP of Parsippany and Cedar Knolls prepared fresh pancakes and crepes for the volunteers and all of the guests. IHOP also supplied coffee, orange juice, soda, water, bagels, muffins and donuts for all the volunteers working the event.
This years chairman Nicolas Limanov said “It was a wonderful day watching all the children having fun, asking questions and taking pictures. I was happy to add many new vendors including the State Police Helicopter, and the committee expects to add even more for next year. I want to thank all the committee members who helped making this event very successful.”
When the children arrived, they received a “goodie” bag from Jersey Central Power and Light which contained items such as napkins from New Jersey Sharing Network, a free children’s meal compliments of IHOP, among other items. When the children left, they received a bottle of “bubbles.”
Every child received a goody bag full of surprises including a free child’s meal at IHOP, and more.
When the children visited the Parsippany Police Department they received a badge from Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Officer Dave Cavaliere. Patrolman Dave Cavaliere and Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Chief Andrew Miller also gave the children a “TICKET” which summoned them to the Dairy at Lake Hiawatha for a free children ice cream cone.
Aside from being a great time for the family, this event helps support our major initiatives. Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. The Parsippany based group supports and sponsors many community causes.
The Touch-A-Truck committee would like to thank The Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills, Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department and 1515 Parsippany, LLC (owners of the property) and all of the below participants:
IHOP – Parsippany and Cedar Knolls
DJ Jay Cee
Face Painting- Joanne Rich
Parsippany’s Video-on-the-Go
Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 6
Parsippany High School Key Club members
Parsippany Hills High School Key Club members
Mt. Tabor Volunteer Fire Department District 1
Rainbow Lakes Fire Department District 2
Lake Parsippany Volunteer Fire Department District 3
Parsippany-Troy Hills Volunteer Fire District 5
Parsippany-Troy Hills Rescue and Recovery
Parsippany Office of Emergency Management (Cert and RACES)
Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance
Rockaway Neck Volunteer Ambulance
New Jersey Sharing Network
The Dairy at Lake Hiawatha
Boiling Springs Saving Bank
NJ State Police Aviation Unit
NJ State Police Tactical Unit Troop B
Morris County Office of Emergency Management
Morris County Park Police Disaster Response Team
Enslins Car & Taxi Service
Paul Miller Auto Group
Kona Ice of Central Morris County
The Rose House
Parsippany-Troy Hills Public Library
Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter
Umbrella T-shirts
Buffalo Wild Wings
Parsippany High School Redbots
Parsippany Brownie Troop 97446
Ajaco Towing & Recovery
Jordon Transportation
Caravella Demolition
Tanis Concrete
JC Construction Inc.
Hearty Crane
Jersey Central Power and Light
Denis Limanov- International Motorcycle
Parsippany Department of Public Works
Parsippany Parks & Forestry