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Hands on Trucks aims to boost organization's bottom line

The science museum in Lafayette is holding its biggest fundraiser of the year this Saturday.

The Imagination Station had more than 400 people attend its annual “Hands on Trucks” event last year.

Board member Brian Bettag says they’ll have about two-dozen vehicles this year, including a fire truck and the Boilermaker Special. He says “Hands on Trucks” gives children an up-close look at vehicles they might see every day.

"They can ask operators how they work and what they do. It also gives companies and agencies an opportunity to interact with the community in a different way."

Wabash National, the Lafayette Fire Department and the Tippecanoe County Bomb Squad are expected to show off different types of vehicles.

Bettag says ticket sales and sponsorships make the event the biggest fundraiser of the year for the museum.

"The funds cover a lot of the Imagination Station's operating expenses, like heating and cooling. Ideally, if we get enough funds coming in, we can get some new exhibits."

He says renting an exhibit for six months to a year can cost between $3,000 and $5,000. However, if Imagination Station owned a new exhibit, Bettag says it could trade with another museum, or rent it out.

Hands on Trucks is Saturday, Aug. 25 from 10 a.m. until four p.m. at the Imagination Station on N. 4th Street in Lafayette. More information is HERE.