On April 12th, the Cuero VFW hosted a successful 'Touch a Truck' event, where kids honked horns, climbed onto large trucks, and explored heavy machinery. Organized by the Friends of DeWitt County Children (FDCC), this was the concluding event for Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. Earlier events included the Siren Sound-Off Ceremony on April 1st, where first responders drove down Broadway with blaring sirens to raise awareness, placing cutouts of 91 victims alongside blue pinwheels. Go Blue Day encouraged community members to wear blue in support.
The 'Touch a Truck' event attracted nearly 600 attendees, providing kids a chance to learn about careers through hands-on experiences. In preparation for the event, Commissioner Ryan Varela of Precinct 1 and his crew cleaned and mowed the grounds and brought in dirt for children to enjoy with toy vehicles.
“This was our third year doing 'Touch a Truck.’ We love that it's a free event for families to come out and explore,” Kati Klores, president of FDCC, said.
Inside the venue, various community organizations set up tables to provide resources for families. These included First Baptist Church, the Pilot Club, which offered free bike helmets, and the Golden Crescent Moms Group, which provided maternal health resources and activities. Notable participants included the Weber Ford dealership with a Bronco, the sheriff's office and first responders, Wamsley Performance, Energy Waste, McMahan Services, Bobcat of Victoria, Lifeway Baptist Church, Bikers Against Child Abuse, and many others.
The community's response was overwhelmingly positive and greatly appreciated by the organizers, who are already looking forward to next year in April.
The next event is expected to be a back-toschool supply drive in the summer, followed by a backpack distribution for foster kids in the fall.
