$27K Raised For Charity At Falls Twp. Touch A Truck Event

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA —Falls Township’s sixth annual Touch a Truck fundraiser Saturday featured more large trucks, excavators, towing vehicles, utility trucks, mowers, emergency response vehicles, fire trucks, construction vehicles, and heavy machinery.

And more donations.

The additional vehicles and sponsors helped the 2023 Touch a Truck event raise a record-breaking $26,850 for The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides financial aid to families throughout the Delaware Valley who are in need due to recent tragedy or adversity.

In all, Falls Township’s Touch a Truck has contributed more than $85,000 to the foundation over the last several years.

Last year’s Touch a Truck fundraiser generated $20,200 in charitable donations to the foundation, headed by NBC Philadelphia Sports host Michael Barkann.

Barkann attended the event, taking photos with fans and sponsors alike.

Spearheaded by Falls Township Supervisor Vice Chairman Jeff Boraski and the township’s Parks and Recreation Department, Touch a Truck provides a unique opportunity for children to learn more about how the various vehicles on display serve as first responders, construction, farming, manufacturing, and more.

Falls Township Fire Marshal Rich Dippolito organized a non-perishable food collection drive as part of the dual event. Dippolito has overseen a year-round food drive benefiting local food pantries for the last several years.

Falls Township’s Public Works Department purchased and outfitted a kid-sized truck that was raffled off during the event. Public Works Director Jason Lawson said he plans to offer another truck giveaway next year as well.

Touch a Truck featured police and fire vehicles, as well as two school buses, a tanker from the Township of Falls Authority, and Falls Township mowers and trucks.

Event sponsors who brought additional trucks and machinery include Trash Daddy, Waste Management, Yard Truck Specialists, Crozier Contractors, SKD Tryon’s Emergency Vehicle Upfitting, IBEW Local 269, Premium Excavating, KPK Development, B. Blair Corp, Shelmet Plumbing Contractors, Area Fence Enclosures, Armour & Sons, Riley Electric, Carr & Duff, Britton Industries, Fred Beans, Ray Litwin Heating and Air Conditioning, Red Box Dumpsters, GPS Hauling, US Municipal, Just Stumps and T&M Fuel LLC. Rudolph Clarke LLC, Jones Engineering Associates, Remington and Vernick Engineers, Marie’s Kozy Korner, Refreshing Mid-Atlantic, Bayard Pump, and Tutor Doctor also sponsored the event.

(Photo Courtesy of Theresa Katalinas)
The Touch a Truck committee (back, from left): Falls Township Fire Marshal Rich Dippolito, Public Works Director Jason Lawson, (front, from left) Parks and Recreation Director Brian Andrews, Falls Supervisor Jeff Boraski, Theresa Katalinas, Falls Supervisor Erin Mullen, and Parks and Recreation Coordinator Erin Long presents a check for $26,850 to Ellen and Michael Barkann of The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation.