CHAZY – At Saturday’s Touch-A-Truck event, kids had a front row seat to some of the coolest trucks ever.

Local businesses brought their trucks and equipment to Chazy Central Rural School for the first Touch-A-Truck community event.

Touch-A-Truck took place at Chazy Central Rural School and gave the community an opportunity to get up close and personal with fire trucks, various local, state and federal agency vehicles and equipment, as well as tractors, farm equipment, tow trucks and more.

“FUN AND SAFE”

Che Morley, a Chazy community member and event organizer, said the goal was to give community members, especially children, a hands-on look at some of the vehicles and equipment used by local businesses and state or local law enforcement agencies.

“This is first and foremost a community event. It is free for all and a great opportunity for children and families to explore the vehicles of our local, state and federal agencies as well as local businesses,” Morley said.

“Another goal is to help children overcome their fear of people in uniform and the vehicles they drive. We have several different agencies here today. It’s important that children see them in a fun and safe way before an emergency occurs with their lights and loud sirens, because it can be overwhelming.”

Participating agencies, organizations and companies include:

New York State Police

Pilon Transport & Towing

Barefoot Acres

Taylor Equipment Sales & Powersports

Giroux’s Poultry

SUNY Plattsburgh University Police

New York State Department of Environmental Protection

Chazy Orchards

My NBC5

US Border Patrol, Swanton Sector

Border Bee Company

Chazy Volunteer Fire Department

Riley Ford, Inc

“This exposes the kids to many different businesses and the police,” said Jenna Seguin, co-owner of Riley Ford.

“Coming in, looking around and asking questions can spark their interest in a future career.”

Jordon Kelehner of Taylor Rental said this event is a great opportunity to get out and give companies the chance to show people their machines in person and up close.

“I think this gives a lot of kids the opportunity to see vehicles and equipment that they might otherwise only see as they drive by,” Kelehner said.

“This way they can see it up close and press the buttons. Kids love it, they love tractors, horns, sirens, it’s a great event.”

The New York State Police brought the Seat Belt Convincer, a single-seat machine that simulates collisions at 5 to 10 miles per hour.

“I usually let them ride once and then ask them if they want to ride without a seatbelt again. It’s quite a shock for them,” said Nathan LaRock of the NYSP.

“It’s quite eye-opening to think that people are only driving 5 to 10 miles per hour, while most accidents happen at higher speeds.”

LaRock said children typically only interact with police and rarely have the opportunity to talk to an officer or touch the equipment.

“I think it engages the kids in the community,” he said.

Morley explained that such an event would not be possible without the community.

“All of these companies and agencies have donated their time and resources and come here,” Morley said.

Morley has high hopes of growing the event for the community and possibly making it an annual event.

“This is a family community, you know, Pilons, Girouxs, I called them and they came to make it special for the community.”