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<p>AVOCA &#8212; Steadying himself on a metal track, 5-year-old Jacob Capone grabbed hold of a side railing as he pulled himself into a giant yellow bulldozer. Once inside, he happily looked around at all the levers and buttons, grabbing the large lever in front of him while acting as the machine&#8217;s operator.</p><p>The bulldozer was just one of dozens of emergency and heavy machinery vehicles available for tots to explore during the second annual &#8220;Touch a Truck&#8221; event held Saturday by the Avoca Fire Department.</p><p>Sirens blared, horns honked and smiles widened as toddler-aged children adventured through fire department grounds. The day featured a variety of vehicles from the borough and surrounding areas, including the Pittston Fire Safety House and equipment from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport. Multiple food vendors and a bounce house were also available for family entertainment.</p><p>While watching Capone explore the bulldozer, his mother, Jenna Lasher, noted: &#8220;My son loves trucks more than anything in the world.&#8221;</p><p>Fire department president Tom Matthews said the event was created not only as a fundraiser, but as a way to interact with the community and civic groups. Many organizations, such as the Lions Club, are invited to set up their own stands.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s something that the families can come up to, and can share it with the nonprofits,&#8221; he said.</p><p>Matthews said the groups are able to keep their profits for their own events.</p><p>All other proceeds &#8212; including the $5 admission fee &#8212; go to the fire department for general expenses, maintenance and training.</p><p>Sitting at a table next to the bounce house, Adella Decker watched as her 5-year-old son, Derek, enjoyed a cup of ice cream. The Avoca resident said she attended the fundraiser last year, and decided to bring along more family members for this year&#8217;s event.</p><p>&#8220;It&#8217;s just about supporting the community,&#8221; she said as Derek adjusted his yellow construction hat.</p><p>Meanwhile, inside the Avoca Ambulance, EMT Carrie Maccollum talked to a family about what an ambulance does and why it&#8217;s so important.</p><p>Fire Police Capt. Gary Halagarda said when the department was looking to create a fundraiser, it wanted something different than what could usually be found locally. They finally agreed on &#8220;Touch a Truck,&#8221; and it&#8217;s proved popular so far.</p><p>The department didn&#8217;t yet have an estimate on Saturday&#8217;s attendance, but said about 700 attended last year.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Justin Senske, 6, left, and Austin Senske, 3, sit in the cab of an all-terrain vehicle at the &#8220;Touch a Truck&#8221; event in Avoca on Saturday. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Avoca-Touch-a-Truck-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Justin Senske, 6, left, and Austin Senske, 3, sit in the cab of an all-terrain vehicle at the &#8220;Touch a Truck&#8221; event in Avoca on Saturday. </caption0><photoCredit0>Tony Callaio | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Avoca-Touch-a-Truck-2.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Johnny Allan, 6, gets behind the wheel of a big rig while sister Zoey, 2, tags along for the pretend ride Saturday during the &#8220;Touch a Truck&#8221; event held by the Avoca Fire Department. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Avoca-Touch-a-Truck-2.jpg</photo1><caption1>Johnny Allan, 6, gets behind the wheel of a big rig while sister Zoey, 2, tags along for the pretend ride Saturday during the &#8220;Touch a Truck&#8221; event held by the Avoca Fire Department. </caption1><photoCredit1>Tony Callaio | For Times Leader </photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Marcella Kester</p><p>For Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div>

Children flock to ‘Touch A Truck’ fundraiser for Avoca Fire Dept.