A time for honking horns, climbing trucks and taking hold of the wheel

Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angels host their 7th annual Touch A Truck fundraiser

By Joanie Allbee

Amidst threats of rain last Sunday (June 7), the Touch a Truck event rumbled on in the parking lot at Blessed Sacrament Church at 14 Summer St. in Saugus. From 2 to 5 p.m., visitors explored police cars, fire trucks, tractors and more. Friendly owners and crews encouraged visitors to put their hands on all of the vehicles.

Three-year-old Santino took the wheel of a tractor as he sat in his dad Anthony Vinciarelli’s lap. Five-year-old Nathan DeNicola, an aspiring future police officer, was thrilled to receive a police badge sticker and to be behind the wheel of a police cruiser.

“Nathan loves to see all the police cars at Touch a Truck,” his dad Michael DeNicola said.

Saugus Police Officer and Pink Patch Project Direct Representative Domenic Montano and his wife Deanna greeted guests and answered questions about the Pink Patch Project car. Lawrence Police brought a pink Cancer Awareness car. Westford Police opened their cruisers for visitors to hop inside, and Melrose did a dog sniffing demonstration and brought a motorcycle. They welcomed people passing by to hop up on the bike for a memorable photo.

Attendees savored foods from vendors as they walked around seeing what each exhibit offered. Brenda Moley and John Gilmore managed the raffle and information booth. Some booths offered coupons and freebies to take home.

John Ragusa of the State Police Bomb Squad brought a highly trained Lab named Clue and a Boston Dynamics robotic dog named Spot. Ragusa gave mini demonstrations of dogs interacting with people and performing tasks.

Cara Sartorelli showed off her restored 1986 Monte Carlo SS. “I just love being a part of a car show community,” Cara said

Joe Tabbi, who was born at Saugus General Hospital, owner of the “ Lyghtn” car, was with his wife Donna, the owner of “ Phoenix” car. “I like doing the Touch A Truck and letting kids explore my jeep,” said Donna Tabbi.

Chris Thompson, of “Nightmare Jack Jeep,” loves doing things for the kids and displayed puppets and blow-up characters in and around his jeep.

Kristi Bauters’ jeep “Horcrux” was next to Stephen Baker, who climbed a wheel over his friend Johnny Lowbed’s car “Pitcrw.” When asked why he did it, he mischievously grinned and replied “I like rocks.” Baker’s response drew laughter.

Saugus Tiger Institute, an affiliate of Cervizzi’s Martial Arts Academy, stilled a crowd with their Taekwondo demonstrations. Owner and 6th degree black belt Sabumnim/Shihan Amy Amirault led the group of students in various forms in taekwondo. The students were breaking boards with hands, feet and knees kicks.

On an overcast day when it could have rained at any minute, the event raised $760 for the American Cancer Society. Guy Moley was thrilled with the day’s fund-raising results, hailing it as a success.

“Thanks to our Saugus Vendors, D.P.W., Saugus Police and neighboring Police, the Saugus Fire Department, Sponsor Winn Realty, Throne King, anonymous donations, volunteers and wonderful contributors, excellent demonstrations and the Blessed Sacrament Church. Touch A Truck was able to give 100% of the money raised to the American Cancer Society. Thank you for making it a great success,” he said.