Touch A Truck Festival Raises $14,000+ for Heart Health
Greater Atlanta Hadassah’s Annual Event Enjoyed by Attendees
Special for the AJT
Abundant sunshine, festive balloons, clowns and a marching band created an atmosphere of fun and discovery that welcomed young visitors, their parents, grandparents and friends to Greater Atlanta Hadassah’s first ever Touch A Truck Family Festival to Benefit Heart Health, which took place at Centennial High School in Roswell on Sept. 7.
“We thank our 100+ sponsors, 200+ volunteers and more than 1,100 attendees who purchased tickets for their part in raising funds for Every Beat Counts: Hadassah’s Heart Health Program™(EBC)and cardiac research at Hadassah Medical Organization in Israel,” said Lee Tanenbaum, Touch A Truck co-chair. “Although we are still tallying our sponsorships, ticket sales and expenses, we are delighted that we will be able to make a contribution of more than $14,000 to benefit heart health.”
Veronika Barash, Touch A Truck co-chair, said, “Even a brief bout with rain in the afternoon couldn’t dampen everyone’s high spirits! Our family-friendly festival was a FUN raising, FUND raising, and community heart health education success!”
More than 32 vehicles were available for kids and families to admire, touch and explore. Among the most popular vehicles were Georgia State Patrol’s helicopter and squad car, Mark Goodelman’s 1962 fire truck, the Rural Metro Ambulance, the MARTA bus, the Fulton County school bus, the College Hunks Hauling Junk truck, the American Red Cross disaster truck, Ernst Concrete’s pink concrete truck, vintage cars, the Georgia National Guard’s army jeep, motorcycles from the Sabra Riders motorcycle club, limousines and even a Dressler’s hearse, just to mention a few.
Kids and families enjoyed various kids’ activities, including coloring, temporary tattoos, the Home Depot wood making workshop, and fingernail art. Sandy Springs Locksmiths brought its truck and demoed key making for the kids. Barnes and Noble provided a storytime area. Marlene Chastain volunteered her services as a roving folk singer, story teller and puppeteer. Deborah Bowman of Bubble Discovery facilitated the making of awesome bubbles with all kinds of wands and recyclable items – great fun for kids and adults of all ages!
Delicious Kosher food was available for purchase from five food vender sponsors – For All Occasions, Kosher Gourmet, Kona Ice, Cotton Cravings and Penny’s Popcorn Delights.
Sue Rothstein, president of the Greater Atlanta Hadassah Chapter, stated, “We are extremely appreciative of the more than 200 volunteers who helped in various capacities at Touch A Truck. This was a huge and challenging undertaking and we are most thankful for the outpouring of assistance from the community and sponsors. Special thanks go to the co-chairs of the event, Lee Tanenbaum and Veronika Barash.”
To view the Touch A Truck Photo Gallery and video, please visit www.hadassah.org/touchatruck.
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