Organizers hope to double the amount of money raised at the 2019 “Touch a Truck” benefit for the Scottdale Volunteer Fire Department on Aug. 11.

The second annual open house/boot drive, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., will be held at the Scottdale VFD, 317 Pittsburgh St., Scottdale. Firefighters will open the station for the public to see and “touch” the trucks and equipment.

Prior to the event, Scottdale area churches also will collect donations in firefighters’ boots to add to this year’s “boot drive,” which culminates at the open house. The money raised is split between Scottdale and Everson VFDs.

“Last year, we raised $4,000, and we’d like to double that this year to show our support and thanks,” said organizer Audra Shenk, of Scottdale. “I’ll be touching base with the churches one by one and encouraging them to join in again, and I’ll be talking with businesses too.”

Shenk created the event through Scottdale Mennonite Church as a way to thank firefighters and first-responders for being on call 24/7 all year long.

“Kids enjoy the ‘touch a truck’ aspect and can climb into the fire trucks to sit behind the wheel,” she said. “The firefighters hand out coloring books and hats. It’s turned into a really nice community event.”

At last year’s open house, the 10 responders from both Everson and Scottdale with the most volunteer time were given new fire “jumpsuits.” An anonymous donor purchased the 20 new jumpsuits.

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