EHL Fragile X Foundation’s Touch A Truck raises awareness
JOHNATHAN MINEHAN
EHL Fragile X Foundation’s Touch A Truck event gathered the community for a day of awareness and an abundance of vehicles to check out.
Big rigs, police vehicles and more trucks by the score could be seen lined up and down Lafayette Street between Del Prado Boulevard and Vincennes Street in Cape Coral last Saturday.
The event’s goal was to raise awareness about a genetic disorder, bring the community together and give children an opportunity to explore some of their favorite trucks. Cape Coral Fire Rescue’s fire truck, Lee County Emergency Medical’s ambulance and Cape Coral Police’s BMW motorcycles were just some of the vehicle attendees were able to view.
Steve and Fran Marsino, co-founders of the event, explained how Touch A Truck came to be.
Their grandson was diagnosed with Fragile X syndrome in 2013 and they decided to start Touch a Truck two years later, Steve Marsino said, adding they then founded the EHL Fragile X Foundation, incorporating their grandson’s initials.
“We wanted to start the foundation to raise awareness and help those with the syndrome,” he said.
One in every 4,000 kids has Fragile X syndrome, and the desire to raise awareness inspired the couple to host the free-admission event, which also is a fundraiser.
Saturday’s event in the South Cape featured live entertainment, safety exhibits and participants received a truck passport with destinations to visit for a chance to win a prize.
“In Clearwater, where our grandson lived, the fire department had one where they let all the kids climb into the cars,” said Fran Marsino. “So we suggested doing the touch-a-truck activity here where the kids could touch a truck and blow the whistles.”
Touch A Truck also featured food and beverages.
Steve Marsino shared the trucks that stuck out to him as he enjoyed seeing the community taking photos and videos.
“I am a redneck at heart but I’m a city boy,” he said. “I like the swamp buggy and the air bug. The firetrucks are always a hit with the kids, and a purple cement mixer is also at the event.”
The events doesn’t stop here for the couple — they also plan to hold an awareness dinner, which will be their third. Other efforts include a send-a-card program, in which they send cards made locally by children and adults who have intellectual disabilities to children looking to receive a card for their birthday.
The EHL Fragile X Foundation is always looking for volunteers and more involvement. To get involved, you can visit ehlfragilex.org.