UM-Flint Public Safety strengthens community ties through annual, free family event

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 28, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Hughey, [email protected], (810) 237 6570

Sixth annual Touch-A-Truck event offers food, fun, and safety vehicles for families; no cost and open to the public

FLINT, Mich.—Vehicle City is motoring up for the 6th Annual Touch-A-Truck event this weekend on UM-Flint's campus.

The Saturday, September 30 event is a true community collaboration and celebration, said Chief Ray Hall, director of UM-Flint's Department of Public Safety.

"The purpose of Touch-A-Truck is to help build a sense of community, and to bring young people and their families together with law enforcement officers in a positive way, so that we can build trust and mutual respect for everyone involved," said Hall. "And have a little fun while doing it."

The event is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at UM-Flint's William S. White Building parking lot at North Saginaw Street and 5th Avenue.

Touch-A-Truck is a partnership between several groups, including UM-Flint Department of Public Safety, UM-Flint's Student Government, Black Student Union, Block Club, Flint Police Department, Genesee County Sheriff Department, Michigan State Police, Grand Blanc Township Police Department, Grand Blanc Police Department, Mott Community College, Kettering University and numerous community, business, and university groups and volunteers.

There will be a host of vehicles to check out, including the University of Michigan Health System survival flight helicopter, fire trucks, buses, a cement truck, and much more.

The helicopters are expected to land between 11 and 11:30 a.m., Hall said.

Touch-A-Truck also provides hot dogs, bounce houses, face painting, music, and other activities at no cost to attendees. The event is entirely free and open to the public.

"We welcomed more than 2,000 people last year and the event continues to grow," Hall said. "It's our way of giving a little back to a community that supports us throughout the year."

For more information about this year's event, please contact Gaye Stover at 810.762.3330.

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The University of Michigan-Flint, part of the world-renowned University of Michigan, is a regional comprehensive university located in the heart of Flint, MI. UM-Flint is a vibrant and diverse learning community consistently recognized for academic distinction and superb value. With flexible, personalized coursework enhanced by hands-on, engaged learning opportunities, UM-Flint students graduate ready to lead and succeed in all situations.