Many thanks to the 22 members of the Ann Arbor Rotary & Lyn Elwell, 4 members of the Ypsilanti Rotary, Anne Nauts, Assistant Governor and Interactor, Aakarsh Verma for braving the elements to volunteer at the 10th Annual Touch A Truck on Saturday, May 12 sponsored by Washtenaw Success by 6 Great Start Collaborative and the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor.

Many families with rain gear and umbrellas braved the rain, grey skies and cool temperatures to explore the trucks, emergency vehicles, mounted police, heavy equipment and fire engines. Rotarians welcomed families to the event and distributed balloons to all the children. The reward for braving the weather was the happy smiles on children’s faces as they proudly carried their balloons and explored vehicles throughout the Ypsilanti Community High School parking lot.

Special thanks to our own Heather Kendrick, Miss Michigan who shared many smiles, photos and “I met Miss Michigan” stickers with many in attendance; Ginny Geren who ties the best slip knot ever; Rick Easterbrook and Frank Niehaus (Ypsilanti) who inflated balloons all morning; and ALL the volunteers for their hard work and cheerful greetings to all the families.

In addition to the vehicles, over 40 community organizations were present to provide information about important services available to families with young children in Washtenaw County so that “every child enters school ready to succeed!”

Special thanks to the takedown crew who braved pouring rain to move tents, tables, chairs, etc..
to the staging area and went home soaking wet!!! Saturday was a perfect example of “Service Above Self” and the important contributions that Rotary makes to the community!!!

Touch A Truck Volunteers:

Co-Chairs:  Norman Herbert and Norma Sarkar