This past Saturday, the Livonia AM Rotary Club and the Churchill High School Interact Club teamed up to deliver an unforgettable experience for families in our community. The "Touch a Truck" event was more than just a display of vehicles—it was a testament to the power of collaboration, community spirit, and shared joy.
The event was nothing short of spectacular. Families were treated to a remarkable lineup that included food trucks offering delicious treats, helicopters that soared above us, and cutting-edge robotics displays that fascinated both young and old. The Boy Scouts were there in full force, alongside electric vehicles, horses, Jeeps, a police dog, fire trucks, and a variety of emergency vehicles, each manned by dedicated teams ready to engage with curious minds. Among the many attractions, the school bus stood out as a clear favorite. It might seem simple, but the joy it brought to children was unmatched.
Adding to the excitement were five breathtaking flyovers by a B-25 Bomber, a spectacle that left everyone in awe. Every child who attended went home with a free Hot Wheels car, a small but thrilling memento of the day. The smiles on the faces of kids and parents alike were the true measure of the event's success.
This day wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible volunteers. From corporate partners who brought their trucks and stayed to help kids climb in and out, to those who collected generous donations, managed safety, assisted with parking, and more—their dedication was the backbone of this event.
Volunteers also played crucial roles in setup, cleanup, and capturing the day’s memories through photography. They shuttled guests from off-site parking, administered first aid, and ensured that volunteers stayed refreshed with coffee, doughnuts, homemade cookies, pop, water, and brownies.
We also had the privilege of hosting various non-profit organizations, each committed to causes like fighting cancer, addressing mental stress, promoting eye health, and supporting higher education. Their presence highlighted the broader mission of our event—fostering a strong, supportive community for the children and families of Livonia and surrounding areas.
None of this would have been possible without our sponsors, who came through in a big way. Their support underscored the importance of family time, which was at the heart of this event.
Touch a Truck was more than just an event; it celebrated what we can achieve when a community comes together. To everyone who volunteered, participated, and supported this initiative—thank you. You’ve shown that when we work together, we can create something truly special. Good Job! Touch a Truck committee!
Claude Kendrick ___________________
Hello! I would like to say thank you to all who helped at and attended our event this weekend! We are so beyond grateful for each and every one of you. We had a great turnout, set a new attendance record, welcomed new vehicles, and had so much fun!
Allison, Lauren, Shana, Gretje, Rachel, and I will be graduating and heading off to college this spring. We are all honored to have spent the past two years planning and coordinating Touch-A-Truck. We are so proud of how far we have come, growing and improving the event, and we will be sure to leave you in good hands with the rest of this year’s planning committee: Oviya, Reyhan, Nithin, and Angel.
Once again, thank you so much for all you do.
Sincerely,
Emily Davis
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Fellow Livonia A.M. Rotary, Churchill High School Interactors, and other Friends and Volunteers:
Bravo! Maxima bravo! Touch-a-Truck 2024 is in the books, with a record of over 10,000 in attendance. Most importantly, you touched the lives of many children, families, other volunteers, "truck" participants, police and fire and vendor folks, and more. Many, many thanks. I hope some of you didn't get too sunburnt.
Numerous pictures will soon be posted, including on our Rotary website. From the early morning - just after 7:30 a.m. - till the last helicopter took off around 3:00 PM, a grand day. The Lord God blessed us with very good weather and great cooperation. You are to be thanked and commended. Emily, Allison, Shana, and Rachel, please convey our praise for your Interact Club on an outstanding fund-raiser, community project; your tremendous organization, to great detail and flexibility to adapt to make Touch-a-Truck run even more smoothly is to be commended. Look for more pictures and details (on our website), in Musings, and hopefully on a few websites.
Rotary service,
Rev. Dave Stechholz
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