By Kathy Onorato
Raiden Knox (left) of Bath and Joseph Schnitzler, of Bristol, get a tour of a Wiscasset ambulance by Emergency Medical Technician Marcie Lovejoy (right). (Kathy Onorato photo) |
The rain on Sunday, Sept. 21 stopped just as The Touch a Truck event began and nearly 500 people poured into the Wiscasset Speedway throughout the day to support the event, which raised $10,000 for the March of Dimes and Coastal Kids Preschool.
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Two-year old Davey Osier, of Bremen, takes the controls of bulldozer during the Touch the Truck event Sept. 21. (Kathy Onorato photo) |
“Not bad for a first-year soggy day,” said Martin. “It went really well, considering the weather.”
Children of all ages had the opportunity to get an up-close look at trucks, emergency vehicles, construction equipment, antique cars, go karts and race cars.
Twin brothers Jonathan and Jake Bosco, partial to Fords, their father said, studied and were impressed at the shiny “Power Stroke” engine of a red dump truck on display from Wiscasset Ford.
“It’s awesome,” Jack said.
Marcie Lovejoy, an emergency medical technician for the Wiscasset Ambulance Service said she lost count of the number of children that came through her ambulance and asked questions about all the gadgets in the ambulance.
“The kids are all so different,” she said. “Some liked the lights, others liked the sirens.”
The $10,000 raised will be shared by two organizations very special to event organizer Aubrey Martin – the March of Dimes and Coastal Kids Preschool in Damariscotta.
Martin credits the research and support of the March of Dimes for her two younger children. Martin said she lost her first child, when she delivered at 23 weeks. The research of the March of Dimes helped discover Martin’s medical issue which caused her to go into premature labor. With the organization’s support and seven months of bed rest for each pregnancy, Martin has since given birth to two children.
Touch the Truck organizer Aubrey Martin (right) looks over a classic 1957 Chevy with her children Atharv (left) and Annie (center). (Kathy Onorato photo) |
Martin, who owns the Animal House in Damariscotta, was hired last winter to work part time with the March of Dimes. She said she is committed to helping other families in similar situations she was in.
“This is my way of giving back,” Martin said.
Martin said the primary work of the March of Dimes is to help prevent premature birth, birth defects, and infant deaths through its research. She said many people don’t even know about the work that is being done by the organization.
“It matters to me to get the word out about the work of the March of Dimes,” Martin said.
All March of Dimes money raised in Maine, stays in Maine, Martin said.
After the death of Martin’s first child, she and her husband Dan, were doubtful they could have children of her own and began the process of adoption. Just as she became pregnant with her son Ryan, now 4 years old, the couple was matched with their son Atharv, now 8 and has special needs and attends Coastal Kids Preschool.
Martin said the school specializes in educating children with developmental and physical disabilities. Because the teachers are highly trained, children with special needs learn right alongside of mainstream children, Martin said.
All proceeds from the gate and food sales at the event will benefit the Coastal Kids scholarship fund, to help families in need and operating expenses. The March of Dimes will receive the money received from sponsorships.
“I am so thankful for all the businesses who supported the event. It was so wonderful seeing kids having fun,” Martin said.
The Touch a Truck event was sponsored by Renys, Cheney Financial Services (Cheney Insurance/Newcastle Square Realty/Newcastle Square Vacation Rentals), Northeast Security Systems), Atlantic Motorcar, Newcastle Chrysler, Norms Used Cars, The Animal House, The Kidz Closet, Origami Owl, LincolnHealth – Miles Campus, Clark Farms, Hannaford, Harvard Pilgrim, Wiscasset Speedway, Supplies Unlimited, Wiscasset Speedway, and Wiscasset Ford.
