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an opportunity to experience something new. It was a group<br />
effort from the entire League and was so much fun to launch<br />
something new in our community and League. I have enjoyed<br />
watching it grow and evolve over the past ten years,” Pacelli adds.<br />
A unique aspect of Touch A Truck ® Jackson is that it is a<br />
fund development business and a community project of the<br />
Junior League of Jackson. Each year, Touch A Truck ® Jackson<br />
invites 1,600 students from around the Jackson metro area as<br />
part of Field Trip Friday. Thanks to the generosity of our corporate<br />
sponsors, supporters, and Junior League members through<br />
Handy Helper donations, we are able to offer this educational<br />
opportunity to invited second-grade students at no cost.<br />
Meredith McCullough, 2023 Touch A Truck ® Jackson chair,<br />
said, “I wanted to take on this role because I love hearing all<br />
the sweet stories of the children who attend Field Trip Friday<br />
and experience all the excitement that comes with interactive<br />
fun bringing classroom learning and pages of books to life.<br />
This year we have so many great activities planned, and I look<br />
forward to seeing the joy on the children’s faces as they explore,<br />
climb, and touch trucks and equipment at our various<br />
interactive exhibits.”<br />
Over the past ten years, Touch A Truck ® Jackson has raised<br />
more than $350,000, which stays here in the Jackson metro<br />
area. These funds allow the League to fund its mission,<br />
including the support of more than 30 community projects<br />
and initiatives in the areas of children’s health, early literacy,<br />
and social development. “Touch A Truck ® Jackson has evolved<br />
over the past ten years to incorporate activities and opportunities<br />
for children and schools in the Jackson metro area<br />
beyond the initial Touch A Truck ® Jackson experience. In 2018<br />
we introduced a literacy tent with guest readers throughout<br />
the day and in 2019 we established STREAM stations to further<br />
expand the hands-on learning experience. We continue to<br />
evolve the Touch A Truck ® Jackson experience to coincide<br />
with the mission of the Junior League of Jackson. This event<br />
has grown into an experience that showcases how fun and<br />
learning can come together beautifully through focused<br />
volunteerism and an impact-based model of service. I could<br />
not be more excited about this tenth anniversary event for our<br />
community,” said Bethany Smith, 2022-2023 Junior League of<br />
Jackson president.<br />
Touch A Truck ® Jackson 2023 kicks off Friday, March 31,<br />
with Donuts & Dump Trucks, a preschool event; followed by<br />
Field Trip Friday; and Unplugged, an event for children with<br />
sensory needs. The fun will continue that night with a new<br />
special event, Glow in the Park–a glow party like you have<br />
never seen with music from DJ Adam, illuminated exhibits,<br />
and fun activities!<br />
Big Wheel Breakfast will kick off Saturday morning, April 1,<br />
allowing attendees to enjoy breakfast and early access to<br />
exhibitors. General admission opens at 10:00am and will<br />
feature interactive science, technology, reading, engineering,<br />
arts, and math (STREAM) booths for children to enjoy, literacy<br />
fun, and so many exciting exhibitors.<br />
Tickets are available for Glow in the Park,<br />
Big Wheel Breakfast, and general admission at<br />
www.touchatruckjackson.com<br />
Our special events can sell out,<br />
so don’t delay in purchasing!<br />
Hometown MADISON • 35
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