LAVALLETTE — The summer reading program began at the Upper Shores Library branch with a touch-a-truck event, where dozens of kids explored many types of vehicles.
The annual summer reading kickoff began with sweet treats, games a-plenty and many police, fire, EMS and DPW vehicles for the children of the Lavallette community.

Sloan Voice, branch manager, told The Ocean Star, “Last year, I wanted to do something to get the whole community involved, so this is our second time doing something like this…We wanted to do something for the community while we get the kids excited for summer reading.”
As the residents arrived at the parking lot with the several large trucks, kids also had the opportunity to sign up for the summer reading program, which also puts their name into a raffle to win a prize.
On top of interacting with the various vehicles, children also made crafts and played carnival games.

Voice said the day was a success, citing how both the weather was very cooperative and the temperature was not brutally hot or humid. She also said that coordinating with all the different agencies is very easy, as she gets a jump on it earlier on.
The turnout for people participating in summer reading also had increased from the previous year, according to Voice, adding that the steady increase over the years might be due to the touch-a-truck event.
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