Courtesy Photo | A child explores the inside of a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV)...... read more read more
BAYSIDE, N.Y. - Soldiers from the 361st Press Camp Headquarters at Fort Totten, New York, joined community members for the Touch a Truck and Fall Festival at the Cross Island YMCA in Bellerose, New York, Sept. 26, 2015.
The Fall Festival and Open House event provided families from the local community a day of fun with their kids. Children were able to touch and climb into various vehicles and trucks that they see everyday. In addition, the festival had a rock wall, games, music, a bounce house, raffles and much more. Families also had the opportunity to take a tour of the YMCA, try one of the classes, or go for a swim.
All proceeds from the festival benefited the Cross Island YMCA’s annual campaign. The YMCA offers a variety of programs for members of the local community in which no one is ever turned away. The annual campaign raises money through events, such as the Touch a Truck and Fall Festival to ensure that all programs remain free of charge.
Soldiers from the 361st PCH brought one of their High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) to the Touch a Truck event. It provided an opportunity for children to be able to explore the vehicle and interact with the soldiers.
“I liked seeing the kids smiling faces,” said Spc. Walter E. Goodwin, a human resource specialist with the 361st PCH. “I thought the event was a great way for kids to get behind the wheel of vehicles they see everyday and experience it for themselves.”
Although it was Goodwin’s first time at a Touch a Truck event, he was no stranger to being at a YMCA. Goodwin used to go to the YMCA when he lived in California.
“I loved it,” said Goodwin. “It is a good basis for any childhood.”
“We used to go on field trips to the farm to pick fresh strawberries,” reminisced Goodwin.
Although the children at the Touch a Truck and Fall Festival didn’t pick strawberries as Goodwin did in his childhood, they did have the opportunity to pick pumpkins, make arts and crafts and get their face painted.
The YMCA invited the soldiers of the 361st to attend next years Touch a Truck event along with other community members.
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 11.08.2015 20:55 |
| Story ID: | 181376 |
| Location: | BAYSIDE, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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