Meet the Helpers event held in East Palestine
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EAST PALESTINE -- The public was invited to get an up-close look at the vehicles of state, local and federal agencies that help out when disaster strikes and vehicles that provide services to the public year long during a Meet the Helpers event held on Wednesday at the East Palestine Library.
The Region 5 Environmental Agency, Salem-based nonprofit The Brightside Project, Columbiana County Head Start, Ohio Edison and the village police and fire departments all took part in the event which was billed as "an opportunity to interact with local heroes."
The Brightside Project used the opportunity to show off its Sunshine Bus which the Salem-based nonprofit rolled out in March. The charity was established by Scott Lewis and his daughter, Lisa Wallace, and provides resources and social-emotional support while increasing access to basic necessities for at-risk children in Columbiana County. The nonprofit secured a $25,000 grant from State Farm to purchase the bus. The Brightside Project also handed out food and personal care items and books during the event.
The EPA gave tours of its TAGA bus. According to the agency, the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer is a "self-contained mobile laboratory capable of real-time monitoring of outdoor air or emissions and instrumentation refers both to the analytical instrument and the mobile laboratory built around it." East Palestine residents have seen the mobile lab making rounds throughout the village in the wake of February's train derailment, as the agency monitors air quality in and around the derailment site.
The East Palestine Police Department gave children the opportunity to see what it looks like from the driver's seat of a patrol car, while the fire department allowed them to do the same with the village's ladder engine.
Ohio Edison also brought a vehicle to the community outreach affair, giving the public an on-site demonstration of a bucket truck.