Norwich Celebrates WOYC

Damp, chilly weather didn’t keep people away from the fourth annual “Touch-a-Truck” event on April 17 at Three Rivers Community College, sponsored by Children First Norwich and hosted by Children First Norwich / School Readiness Council.  The event is always held at the beginning or end of the “Week of the Young Child.”

“It’s a day for families to come out and spend the day together,” said Sherry Filiatreault, coordinator at Children First Norwich. “Teach them every moment is a teaching moment.”

The community event featured an array of trucks, including those from private contractors such as Comcast Cable Company, Tasmanian Tree Devil, Kahn Tractors and Equipment, American Industries, Pepsi Co. (offering free drinks) and KobyLuck. There were motorcycles, Norwich Police Department’s Cybercrime unit, Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) and fire trucks – lots of fire trucks and emergency equipment from around the city. Deejay Ralph Watson of “Hey ‘Mr. DJ’ Entertainment, played kid-friendly music and kept the crowd entertained throughout the event.

“They’re doing it because they are community and for the kids,” said Filiatreault of the groups and organizations that send apparatus.  

Demetria of Norwich, has been bringing her two young sons – ages 3 and 4 – to the event for the past two years. Her 13-month-old daughter joined them this year and found the hula hoops set out for children to play with to be thoroughly entertaining. While she was there, Demetria made sure to pick up the school readiness packets distributed by the hosting organizations.

Holly Watson, Alicia Dahmer and Elizabeth Smith, all students at Three Rivers Community College and secretary, president/treasurer and vice president of the school’s Early Childhood Education Club respectively, manned the bean bag toss their club set out for kids to play with.

“We’ve had a lot of parents stop by,” said Dahmer.

Also represented at the event were booths by the Norwich School Readiness Council, Building Blocks, which promotes the social and emotional well-being of the youngest children in Southeastern CT; Pooh Corner (TRCC’s child care center) and the City of Norwich.

A $5 donation per family will go back into events such as Family Day in September and truck day to keep the event running.