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04/25/2018 08:30 AMIn the age of technology, it’s easy to think that children just want to play video games or watch Netflix on an iPad, but there’s one special experience that has stood the test of time: getting up close with the flashing lights and the loud sirens of those big, shiny trucks.
On Sunday, May 6, the Madison Newcomers Club presents its annual Touch a Truck event at the Madison Surf Club, giving local children to chance to get behind the wheel of a fire truck, toot the horn of a school bus, and climb into the cherry-picker of a utility truck.
“Touch a Truck is all about the kids! It’s a very popular event for families, especially elementary-aged children. They love the hands-on learning and it’s always a loud, happy, energetic event,” says Madison Newcomers Club board member and event organizer Courtney Kelly.
“We’ll have all the favorite vehicles back again including the Police Department cars, Fire Department trucks, and the school buses. It’s a great chance for people in the community, especially children, to interact with local people from our emergency and community services,” says Courtney, adding, “Also, it’s at the Surf Club so people are welcome to stay for a picnic or play at the beach.”
Celebrating its 10th year, there are some new, exciting attractions at this year’s Touch a Truck.
“This year, for the first time, we will have face painting for children,” Courtney says. “Also new this year, the School of Rock in Madison will perform and have a meet-and-greet with the instruments so kids can try them out. We’ll have a craft table where children can decorate a hard hat, and our number of food trucks has grown.”
All the proceeds from the annual Touch a Truck event benefit the Madison Newcomers Club’s scholarship program.
“Every June, the club awarded scholarships to selected female Daniel Hand High School who have had a strong civic role in the community and who demonstrate town pride. Last year, we gave out three scholarships and the more money we raise at Touch a Truck, the more scholarships we can award.”
As the head of the Newcomers Club’s Ways and Means and Fundraising committees, Courtney also organized last year’s Monster March and says that it’s the strong support from local businesses and community group that make such ongoing events a success.
“The response is overwhelming. Everyone we call says, ‘Of course, I’m coming back this year,’ and there have been many new organizations and businesses who have reached out to us to get involved,” she says.
Shoreline Local; Madison Newcomer
Courtney joined the Madison Newcomers Club last year when she moved from Guilford to Madison with her two children, Olivia and Nolan. As well as serving as a board member, she is the leader of the Newcomers’ outdoor special interest group that organizes hiking, kayaking, running, and biking events.
“I really enjoy meeting new people and I love being part of a civic organization that gives back to the community. I was new to Madison, but I’ve lived locally for most of my life, so it’s great to meet newcomers who are from California and Texas,” she says.
“We have a diverse group with people of all ages with lots of different interests—there’s something for everyone. It was so nice to have instant friends and every month we look forward to getting together. Being part of Newcomers is a really great way to give back to the community as well as make new friends, so it’s a win-win.”
A life-long Connecticut resident, Courtney grew up in Killingworth and graduated from Haddam-Killingworth High School. She completed a bachelor’s degree in child development at the University of Connecticut followed by a master’s degree in education at Southern Connecticut State University. After living in Fairfield County and Wallingford, Courtney returned to the shoreline, moving to Guilford in 2010.
“I was a new mom and looking to meet people so I started the Shoreline Moms Facebook group. We planned activities and events or parents could ask questions or recommendation for babysitters,” she says.
This connection with the Shoreline Moms inspired Courtney to rally the troops and take action to create an important change in Guilford schools.
“Guilford was one of few shoreline towns without full-day kindergarten when my daughter was ready to start school, so I was part of a group of moms who pushed for the expansion. We met with the Board of Selectmen and the Board of Finance and it was my first time doing anything like that. Fortunately, we had a lot of support and we were successful, so my daughter was in the first class that had full-day kindergarten in 2015.”
Professionally, Courtney is a board certified behavioral analyst with the Region 4 school district covering Chester, Essex, and Deep River. She consults in the district’s three elementary schools, and middle and high schools, supporting the development and achievement of children with autism and behavioral difficulties.
Clearly passionate about her work, Courtney embraces the opportunity to improve the lives of her students and their families.
“I work with the same students from preschool through to high school, so I get to see them progress over many years. I’ve worked with a lot of children who are non-verbal, and as we introduce iPad technology, they start with identifying a few pictures with a voice-over and then they work up to the keyboard where they have an unlimited amount of icons and can say the things they think and feel,” she says.
“For me, the greater the difficulties and the challenges, the better. The special education team and teachers I work with are really dedicated and I find my job so rewarding.”
Courtney is also a volunteer member of a new shoreline chapter of Moms Demand Action, a group committed to gun sense and safety, and in between running around with her children, she enjoys running in a more traditional sense.
“I’m an avid runner and this town is amazing with fitness and running support and courses. I run local half marathons town races like the Turkey Trot and Leprechaun 5 Miler, and I also compete in the Madison Triathlon every summer,” she says.
The Madison Newcomers Club presents its Touch a Truck event at the Surf Club, 87 Surf Club Road, Madison on Sunday, May 6 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $15 per family or $5 per person. For more information, call 860-930-8014, email madisonctnewcomersclub@gmail.com, or visit www.madisonnewcomersct.com.