The family fun day doubles as a fundraiser for The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation
The Times
Dozens of large trucks, excavators, towing vehicles, emergency response vehicles and various types of machinery will be on hand for kids and their families to explore during Falls Township’s third annual Touch a Truck event on April 27.
Spearheaded by Falls Township supervisor Jeff Boraski and the township’s Parks and Recreation department, the five-hour event offers a unique opportunity for children to learn more about how the various vehicles on display serve first response, construction, farming, manufacturing and more.
The free, family-friendly event also features giveaways, bounce houses, face painting, a balloon artist, DJ, and food available for purchase from Levittown #1 Fire Department.
Given that the event is held in April during Autism Awareness Month, the first hour of the event, from 9 to 10 a.m., will be a sensory-friendly quiet hour for community members with special needs. Truck operators will refrain from flashing their lights or blowing their air horns during this time. In addition, representatives from The Center for Autism will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.
Proceeds from the fundraising event will benefit The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial aid to families throughout the Delaware Valley who are in need due to recent tragedy or adversity. Michael Barkann, host of NBC Sports Philadelphia, began the foundation in 2013.
Barkann will make a special appearance at the Touch a Truck event. He will also choose the raffle ticket winner for the four-pack of lower level tickets to the Phillies-Nationals game on July 13. To learn more or buy raffle tickets, visit thebarkannfoundation.org/phillies-nationals-fireworks-donation-campaign/.
Touch a Truck will feature police and fire vehicles, as well as a school bus and Falls Township mowers and trucks. Event sponsors who will be bringing additional trucks and machinery include KPK Development, Sims Metal Mfg., A&A Machinery, Waste Management, Premium Excavating, B Blair Corp., Carr & Duff, Rob’s Towing, Armour and Sons, and GPS Hauling. Jones Engineering Associates, Rudolph Clarke LLC and SVS Vending are also sponsoring the event.
Touch a Truck will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Falls Township Community Park, 9050 Mill Creek Road, Levittown. The event is free and open to the public. For information on sponsoring the event, email Parks and Recreation director Brian Andrews at b.andrews@fallstwp.com. To learn more about the foundation, visit thebarkannfoundation.org. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 4.
