By Karen McIlwain, August 22, 2023
Junior League of Great Falls is a fully volunteer-run nonprofit focused on women’s leadership and making a positive difference in the community. “We fundraise for our programs to advance women’s leadership and also fund local nonprofits,” explained Kacey Ribnik, the Fund Development Council Director.
The Junior League of Great Falls will be presenting the 3rdannual Touch a Truck event Saturday, August 26th from 9 am – 2 pm at 100 – 600 blocks of Central Avenue.
Vehicles from all sorts of different companies will be there including, three vehicles from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Fire Trucks, a boat on a trailer from Fish Wildlife and Parks, an ambulance, bucket trucks, a cement mixer, the library’s bookmobile, and so much more.
“We have closed Central Avenue and filled it with all these different types of vehicles that kids and kids at heart will love to be around,” explained Kasey. “Kids of all ages can get up close to all these vehicles that they usually watch from afar and even climb in the seats.”
From 9 am – 10 am will be a quiet hour, with no sirens or horns. This is the perfect time for those who have a hard time with noises. “There will be some generators running for the food trucks, but no explosive noises,” explained Kasey.
Presenting Sponsors this year are TDS Telecommunications, Benefis Women’s and Children’s Center, and Star Radio. All vehicles sponsor for an affordable amount of $25 to help fundraising efforts. “We’ll have a few little things at the Junior League tent for donations, and we’ll have high visibility vests. If somebody donates $5 they’ll get a vest for their kid. Other than that, it’s just donations and word of mouth.”
The Junior League of Great Falls will be reinventing Touch a Truck this year. “This is our first year stepping out and creating it as a fundraiser,” explained Kasey. “We’ve gotten good responses so far. I’m really grateful for the sponsors we’ve gotten, and we just hope to just keep growing it.”
“We had been charging admission previously,” continued Kasey, “but since we have sponsorships this year, we were able to waive admission. Several people in Junior League t-shirts will be scattered around accepting donations. They will each have square readers to take credit cards or cash.”
Join the fun Saturday in downtown Great Falls and mention you heard it in The Great Falls Gazette.
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.