Guest Commentary | Building futures at Touch-A-Truck
Saint Michael Lutheran School’s annual Touch-A-Truck has become a beloved community tradition in Southwest Florida – a day that brings learning, curiosity and fun to families across our region. Now in its eighth year, Drake Ready Mix is proud to once again serve as a presenting sponsor and participant for this year’s event on Jan. 24.
Touch-A-Truck is designed as an interactive, hands-on experience that gives children a behind-the-scenes look at the vehicles they see throughout their daily lives. From climbing into the driver’s seat to honking horns and opening doors, they are encouraged to explore while learning directly from local leaders and operators about how these pieces of equipment serve the community.
This year, children will have the opportunity to view more than 50 trucks and vehicles, including fire trucks and police vehicles, a Coast Guard boat, bucket trucks, dump trucks, farm equipment and more. Drake Ready Mix will bring both a cement mixer and tractor trailer, offering attendees a close-up look at equipment used to build and maintain the buildings, schools and businesses that shape our community.
Beyond the impressive lineup of vehicles, Touch-A-Truck is all about creating an inclusive, family-friendly space where learning feels more like play. The event is free to attend, and there will be a variety of activities for children of all ages, including bounce houses, face painting, art activities, vendor games and more.
This year’s event will also include a sensory-sensitive hour when sirens, horns and flashing lights remain off. This thoughtful addition ensures children with sensory sensitivities can fully participate, so there are ways for all families to enjoy.
The impact of this event extends beyond a single afternoon. Experiences like this help children connect the trucks they see out on the road with the people and careers behind them. Whether it’s a young mind inspired by construction equipment or a future firefighter who is fascinated with fire trucks, these interactions help spark curiosity among the next generation and plant the seeds for future careers in industries that are essential to our community.
As a presenting sponsor, Drake Ready Mix is honored to help make this event possible, and support an experience that brings families together while raising funds to support Saint Michael Lutheran School’s programs. Southwest Florida is the place many of us proudly call home. I was born and raised here, and now I’m raising my own children here as well. It’s also where we operate our family-run business. Being able to help continue this tradition that reflects our family-led values and creates unforgettable memories for families is a privilege, and we’re honored to have been part of this event since its inception.
The eighth annual Touch-A-Truck will take place Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Saint Michael Lutheran School, located at 3595 Broadway in Fort Myers. To learn more, visit Facebook.com/SaintMichaelLutheranSchool.
— Terry Drake, Jr. is the president and founding partner of Drake Ready Mix, a presenting sponsor of the 2026 Touch-A-Truck event.