It's designed to be a day all about Supporting Gahanna Together Day on Aug. 27, from cleaning up the Big Walnut Creek to patronizing local businesses to donating to a denim drive.
“We began Supporting Gahanna Together Day in August 2020 at a time when the community had been sheltered (because of the pandemic),” said Gahanna Mayor Laurie Jadwin. “It was an opportunity to invite everyone to spend some time outside, in a safe environment, and connect with one another.”
She said the event grew in 2021 and continues to do so this year.
“It focuses on the Gahanna community, providing opportunities to volunteer with one another, support needs in the community and support our local businesses,” she said. “Parks & Rec will be doing a creek cleanup along the Big Walnut Creek. It’s a day that truly is all about Gahanna.”
Grant Crawford, Gahanna public-safety director, said Touch-A-Truck would return for the first time since 2019 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hannah Park,6547 Clark State Road.
“Touch-A-Truck is one of the most anticipated events for some of our youngest Gahanna residents,” Crawford said. “This event provides children of all ages with the opportunity to sit in and explore the wide variety of city service vehicles that they might not otherwise get to experience.”
He said it also provides a great opportunity for residents to meet city staff, ask questions and learn about the services that make Gahanna such a great place to live and work.
The event is to feature tractors, fire trucks, police cars, snowplows, a bucket truck, a backhoe and a garbage truck.
Children also will be able to visit the Kids Zone, where they can design and customize their own construction hats and firefighter helmets, according to Dan Pearlman, the city’s public-information officer.
He said Gahanna Residents In Need would be at Hannah Park to collect canned goods, nonperishable food items, toiletries and monetary donations.
A denim drive is being led by Isabella Buell, a seventh-grader at Gahanna Middle School East, offering a first-time event at the community day, according to Pearlman.
He said Isabella recently competed at the Invention Convention U.S. Nationals in August.
The denim goes to Habitat for Humanity to be used for home insulation and pet beds, Pearlman said.
The denim drop-off station will be at Creekside Plaza, 123 Mill St., from 9 a.m. to noon.
Volunteers may join Make Gahanna Yours for a citywide litter cleanup effort. Go online to sign up at makegahannayours.com/cleaner-greener-gahanna-signup.
Pearlman said many Gahanna businesses are offering discounts during the day:
For more information, go to gahanna.gov.