Touch-A-Truck

Caitlin Braxton Hands on Help Chair 2021-2022

The purpose of the Hands on Help committee is to serve additional non-profits, outside of our community partners, and to provide added “done-in-a-day” volunteer opportunities to League members. Bouncing back from a year of socially distanced projects, but still maintaining safety and health concerns, we completed over six projects this year.

Hands on Help began the League year by partnering with the Greensboro Science Center, which hosts sensory nights for families in the community who may not be able to enjoy the facility otherwise. On two separate nights, we greeted guests, helped with directions, and assisted in games. We also provided fun color-changing cups and pop-it toys for the children.

Following our service with the Greensboro Science Center, we assisted Family Service of Piedmont (FSP) in both November and April. FSP’s mission is to empower individuals and families to restore hope, achieve stability, and thrive through quality support services, advocacy, and education. Our JLG volunteers helped clean out a storage room and turn it into an organized space where case workers can easily find clothing for the families in their programs. We also provided clothing racks, storage bins, and cleaning supplies.

December was all about Santa for Hands on Help. Partnering with Senior Resources of Guilford, and their Santa for Seniors program, we assembled and donated 48 tote bags consisting of blankets, toiletries, puzzle books, flashlights, canned goods, and more.

Additionally, we assisted the Kellin Foundation in March by setting up an art therapy room to help their clients foster healing and improve mental health and overall well-being. We are thankful to every one of our partners and volunteers throughout the year.

Allyson Boles Executive Vice President 2021-2022

On October 17, 2021, we hosted our 11th annual Touch-A-Truck, the second at Volvo Group North America’s campus. After a hiatus in 2020 due to COVID-19, it was great to safely bring the Greensboro community back together to support our mission. Touch-ATruck is an exciting community festival that provides an interactive, hands-on learning experience for children of all ages. The attendees have an opportunity to see and learn about all the vehicles and people that make our community work.

On a beautiful fall day, more than 1,900 people enjoyed exploring 20 different types of vehicles along with activities, characters, and games. This year, we featured new things such as a crane from Guy M. Turner, a rideable wrecking ball from Fun Size Equipment, and a trolley from Triad Trolleys. As in the past, we had Volvo and Mack trucks, the Colgate Dental Bus, and emergency vehicles. Favorite characters like Dora, Chase, Doc, Olaf and Elsa walked around the event greeting and taking pictures with the kids. K9 Porter with the Greensboro Police Department was a huge hit and we’re so glad he came out this year. It was great to have all of the JLG community partners represented and participating in activities with the attendees. We could not do the work we do in the community without sponsors like Volvo Group and all of the others who supported Touch-A-Truck monetarily and by bringing vehicles.

Financially the event was a success, netting over $23,300. We also received more media coverage than ever before! WFMY News 2, Spectrum News, YES! Weekly, and the Greensboro News & Record all covered this wonderful JLG event.

Thank you to everyone who attended, members who asked for sponsors and vehicles, all of those who donated items, and the volunteers at the event itself. We could not have done it without all of you, and we look forward to seeing you again in October 2023!