Topless Car Wash

Okay, let's start this right

Big Thank You's go out to our super supporters who came out today, despite the slight chill in the air and skipped down the sidewalk with signs, braved the cold hose water, and dealt with difficult customers. Jeff and I both really appreciate all of your help! So, thank you Erin (and for the coffee and timbits!), Jay, Kelly, Andrea, Larry, Heather, and Amy!

Now, as I mentioned yesterday, today was a no-run day because of all the other stuff happening, so today's entry is all about the car wash. Especially because I was so incredibly shocked by some of the stuff that happened today, I just need to get it out.

For those curious cats out there who are wondering what the heck the catch was with our Topless Car Wash....$3 (the cost of the topless wash) was how much it cost to not get the top of the vehicle washed. If you wanted the top washed, it was another $5 for a total of $8 for the car wash. Clever. I know.

We did raise $282 at today's car wash! However, we really should have raised more. Here is why we didn't:

1) Several people were pissed off that we were asking for more money to wash the whole car. Ummmm did you miss the part where it was for charity?

2) One person driving by early in the morning rolled down his window and said to me 'What about the children?' My response was....'1 out of every 3 children born in 2000 will get diabetes sometime in their lifetime....I am thinking about the children'

3) Several people refused to pay $8 for the car wash, so we only got $5 from those....well....enter mean word here

4) Several people expected a perfect clean for their car. Again....did you notice the part where it's for charity and we are not professionals?

5) One particular customer....who, by the way, was driving a Silver Sunfire GT....not done up or anything, just standard car.....gets out of his car and says 'I don't care about the topless, just do my wheel wells good'. Okay, well let me tell you what we're doing. Then, of course, he complains about the cost ('I could go to a real car wash', well then you wouldn't be supporting a charity and feeling good) and only pays us $5. After paying us less than what we were asking, he proceeds to tell us how to wash his car, from the fact that we need to get it nice and wet before we soap it, to how shiny it should be, and so forth. I finally went to hold the sign on the road because I couldn't believe this guy. He even started washing his car with the group and sprayed tire shine on before he left. Again. Silver Sunfire GT. We washed an Escalade and the guy didn't say two words to us.

6) We definitely had at least one customer who came in with only $1 (and his kids in the back), and asked us what we'd do for $1. When he found out that nobody was showing any boob, he left.

Ahhhh well. There were good people too. Lots of honks and thumbs up on the street. Many people donated more than the $8. One couple wasn't getting a car wash but wanted directions to Tim Hortons - when we mentioned we were serving Timmy's coffee, they donated! And of course, a handful of people brought us donations without having their car washed.

So it's not all bad. I just find when you're passionate about something and raising money for that something, the jerks often stand out more than the really great people.

Well, on to the next fundraiser planning stage! One week until the next one....what will it be...hmmmmmmm.