The Stroum Jewish Community Center (SJCC) held its 22nd annual Truck Day on Thursday, May 14 at the Mercer Island campus.

“Truck Day is a fun day for kids and families of the SJCC Early Childhood School to see, touch and explore dozens of big trucks and vehicles,” said Sarah Tobis, SJCC marketing and communications manager.

The SJCC Parent/Teacher committee organizes and coordinates the trucks, and volunteers for the event. This year showcased 19 vehicles to 15 classrooms of kids ages 2-5. The Truck Day tradition started in 1993, with one truck and a former SJCC staff member.

It teaches preschoolers about fire trucks, dump trucks, school buses, cement mixers, tractors, police cars and other large work vehicles found in the community, and gives them a chance to climb on, peer through, explore and of course, honk the horns.

“It’s a great way to learn about different occupations and the people behind them,” Tobis said.

Steve Hunt, who has showcased a concrete truck at the SJCC event for the past 15 years, said his favorite part of the day is seeing the kids’ reactions to the vehicles. He arrived at the SJCC at 6 a.m. to set up, bringing a sandbox for kids to test concrete mixing toy trucks.

“It’s the coolest truck there is,” Hunt said, adding that kids can play with the toys inside the house, using dried beans instead of dirt.

Some of the other vehicles were a green and blue Seahawks-themed truck, accompanied by a pony named Wilson, and a decorated Jeep with a flamingo theme. New additions included a solar rover, a SWAT vehicle and a Schwartz Brothers food delivery truck.

“One of the things that makes this event special is how many dad volunteers we have. For me, it’s great to see how the dads get involved in all aspects, from planning to taking their kids around,” said Gillian O’Connell, co-chair of the Parent/Teacher Committee.  “We really appreciate all the drivers, companies and organizations that take the time to come out here and support us each year. The kids can’t get enough of it. It’s great family-friendly, community-building fun.”