At the 4th Annual Touch-a-Truck event, Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) wanted to provide as up close and personal experience as possible for the kids who may wait by windows and run out to greet the big solid waste and Grappler trucks as they drive past. With the LCU Green Grappler clapping its claw, and the front loader trash truck clanging the bin, it was a perfect opportunity for LCU heavy equipment operators to tell their little fans more about the trucks.
“We understand that you love the trucks and it makes us happy to see you race out,” explained Marcelo Archuleta, LCU senior equipment operator, to the kids and parents. “But, you do have to stay with your parents when you see us because these trucks are still big and can be dangerous.”
At Touch-a-Truck, kids were able to see how the trucks work without any time limit and could watch the trash bins move up and down over-and-over again, instead of just once in front of their house.
Organized by Morning Star Mothers of Preschoolers and MOMSNext, Touch-a-Truck is a fundraiser for the local community to support Turning Point of Las Cruces, Lighthouse Clothing and Food Pantry, Jardin de Los Ninos, and Project Linus. Held at Camino Real Middle School, different community organizations brought out their most impressive vehicles.
Even from afar, the Green Grappler is particularly striking with its large swinging grappler claw. And while some of the kids covered their ears, LCU employees mentioned helpful habits for trash management, “If you can place your trash bin in the street, that helps a lot,” said Archuleta. “When it’s on the curb, we can damage the arm of the truck and it’s really expensive to fix.”
From a poke around the bunk beds in the cab of a huge truck from Mesilla Valley Transportation to a slow climb up the steps of a gigantic digger brought out by the City of Las Cruces, or even taking a seat on the shiny Las Cruces Police Department motorcycles, kids were able to dream big for a few minutes, and possibly picture themselves in the drivers’ seats of the big vehicles they saw at the 2018 Touch-a-Truck event.
Submitted by Las Cruces Utilities at 528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Las Cruces Utilities provides GAS – WATER – WASTEWATER – SOLID WASTE services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.