HAMLET — In its continuing effort to promote potential careers, Richmond Community College hosted a lively and engaging event, “Touch-A-Truck,” on Sept. 22nd, from 4-6:30 p.m.
This gathering took place in the Cole Auditorium parking lot, offering an exciting opportunity for the community to get up close and personal with an array of vehicles from various organizations.
The core idea behind “Touch-A-Truck” is to let children explore a world of vehicles, allowing organizations to not only showcase their impressive rigs but also to connect with the community and promote their businesses.
Children and adults alike were thrilled to explore an impressive lineup of vehicles, ranging from fire trucks, ambulances and police cars to imposing dump trucks, cranes, buses, and even a military load handling system. One of the highlights was the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office’s Bearcat armored vehicle, which garnered much attention.
As the event neared its conclusion, a fire-rescue helicopter provided by the N.C. Forest Service took off, capturing everyone’s attention as they gathered around in a large circle, highlighting the excitement of the day.
This event was not only about touching and admiring these remarkable machines; it was also an educational opportunity.
Each vehicle had at least one representative on hand to ensure that children could safely climb in, explore, and even honk horns while learning about the vehicles and the professions behind them. Some organizations even distributed candy, stickers, plastic hardhats and other goodies, making the experience all the more enjoyable for the young attendees.
Among the local businesses present, Tedder Trash Solutions stood out with their gray and bright red garbage truck and roll-off dumpster. CEO Harold Tedder said that their business, founded three years ago, was born out of a deep desire to serve the community. They aim to provide trash removal services to those living outside city limits, ensuring equal access to this essential service.
Donna Tedder and Brittany Bullard, also part of the team, emphasized the importance of participating in events like “Touch-A-Truck” to connect with the community and spread the word about their roll-off dumpster rental services in addition to their regular trash pickup.
“It helps people to put faces with the company name, so that we aren’t just another listing on the internet,” said Operations Manager Luke Bullard.
Lillie Uzzle, representing Quality Equipment with a John Deere tractor, said that she spoke to several people who mentioned they had been thinking about buying a tractor and was happy to make connections for the company. She was glad the children were being provided with an opportunity to get children interested in different jobs and careers.
Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RCC, credited the event’s success to Janet Sims, dean of Allied Health & Human Services, who originally conceived the idea.
This year’s event was bigger and better, featuring even larger machines. McInnis expressed his gratitude to the community for participating and commended the organizations and businesses that brought their vehicles to represent and engage with the community.
“Touch-A-Truck” succeeded in bridging the gap between the community and the impressive machines that often go unnoticed in our daily lives. This event not only provided a hands-on experience but also allowed businesses and organizations to connect with the community, making it a win-win for everyone involved.
