The Griffin siblings from left: London, Benjamin and Hank packed into a tractor at the West Pittman Baptist Church Touch-A-Truck event. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
West Pittman Baptist Church held its third annual Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, Sept. 30, as a way to bring the community together and allow children to learn about all sorts of heavy equipment and vehicles.
Event Coordinator Catherine Peel said the most important thing they wanted the event to do had nothing to do with the vehicles themselves.
‘It is a great thing that these kids get to see and feel all of these things,’ Peel said. ‘But what we want most of all is to spread the love of Jesus Christ.’
With vendors, first responders, farmers, Florida Forestry Service, Fish and Wildlife Commission, and new this year a concrete pump truck and an airboat, the event was a success. More than 300 kids came out to enjoy the trucks.
The airboat was a big hit with these boys on its first visit to the Touch-A-Truck event at West Pittman Baptist Church. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Benjamin Griffin moved around the fire truck firmly stating, “no” because he didn’t want to get out. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Two-year-old Ransom Skinner had a great time pretending to fly the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office helicopter at the Touch-A-Truck event. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Bennett Castaneda, 1, was not sure how to feel sitting on a motorcycle. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Florida Forestry Service Forester Morgan Rushing showed Ainsley Skinner how to handle a fire hose at the West Pittman Baptist Church Touch-A-Truck event.[DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Touch-A-Truck event coordinator Catherine Peel and her son Judson flashed big smiles in front of the heavy equipment. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Susan Barge talked to 4-year-old Banks Hall about the DUI bicycle utilized by FHP. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER] Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Susan Barge talked to 4-year-old Banks Hall about the DUI bicycle utilized by FHP. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Holmes County Sheriff John Tate helped 2-year-old Hagan Mathis cool off with a Kona Ice. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Fish and Wildlife Commission Officers John Touchton,left and Eric Fowler were on hand with their boat for kids to learn about at the West Pittman Baptist Church Touch-A-Truck event. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
West Pittman Baptist Church’s Pastor Daniel Smith enjoyed telling Judson Peel all about the motorcycle he was sitting on. [DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office helicopter was a sight to see as it took off from the West Pittman Baptist Church Touch-A-Truck event.[DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
Florida Forestry Service’s Foresters Brad Adams and Morgan Rushing answered as many questions as the kids asked at the Touch-A-Truck event.[DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
A concrete pump truck stood out in its first visit to the Touch-A-Truck event.[DIANE M. MOORE | THE NEWS AND ADVERTISER]
‘We’ve had a tremendous turnout,’ Peel said. ‘We couldn’t have done this without the help of everyone involved. We are very thankful to everyone who helped make this happen.’
By DIANE M. MOORE
Hannah Collins 
GARETT VALCOURT 
Dara Kam 