Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Dozens of colorful backpacks filled with school supplies were on display at the courtyard drive at HSHS St. John’s Hospital

It was part of a Thursday TOUCH-A-TRUCK event to raise funds and more school supplies for District 186 kids who might need some help when school begins again in the fall.

St. Johns CEO, Matt Frye, says the day was also an opportunity to pay tribute of the many first responders in our area who play such a vital role in public safety.

Police Chief Ken Scarlette along with Fire Chief, Ed Canny, were on hand and they brought an array of state-of-the-art emergency vehicles like tanker trucks which the kids got to shoot water from, a ‘souped-up’ pursuit vehicle and the Sangamon County Crisis Negotiation Van.

Organizer, Nurse Supervisor, Emily Enstrom, said the event was held a little early this year to beat the summer heat and while that didn’t exactly work out, with temps in the high 80s, she said a big turnout was still expected.