Touch-A-Truck and maybe learn about a future job with city of Gastonia

Young people will get the chance to touch a Gastonia fire truck, police cruiser and other city vehicles at the Touch-A-Truck and Civic Day, and also may get a glimpse at a future job opportunity, said Gastonia Police Sgt. Shaunte Southern.

Touch-A-Truck and Civic Day will take place from from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Erwin Center, 913 N. Pryor St. Food and free haircuts will be provided by Next Level Barber Academy. 

"It's a great opportunity for the city and the community," said Southern.

The event will be a part of the Barbershop Rap Sessions that Southern began hosting to bring communities together through town halls and special events. 

The Touch-A-Truck and Civic Day includes Gastonia city department representatives from utilities, human resources, the local fire and police departments, EMS and more coming in with the trucks and equipment used for their jobs. 

Having city workers present with their equipment will introduce youth to career opportunities in the city, Southern said.

"I got the idea when I was riding around and saw city workers doing their jobs," said Southern. "With this event, kids can touch the trucks and get up close and personal with the city workers to learn what they do." 

Southern says he was also inspired to highlight career opportunities within the city when thinking of the athletes that he works with as a football coach. 

"I know that some of the guys may not know anything about what city workers do," said Southern, who played football at N.C. State. "I came from a similar background from them and I didn't know what city workers did."

Southern says that he had similar aspirations as his players about playing sports professionally but he wants to introduce his players to more options in life. 

"A lot of the kids I work with want to go pro, but they can all go pro at something but it doesn't have to be in sports," said Southern. 

Southern started coaching football and basketball more than 15 years ago. Currently, he coaches football for Ashbrook High School and basketball for AAU Basketball Team Loaded NC 2026.

Southern plans to collaborate with community leaders for another event related to Juneteenth. 

Reach Janiya Winchester at 980-319-6819 or jwinchester@gannett.com.