A 10-student robotics team at Paterson Elementary School in Fleming Island, Fla., wanted to make a difference in the area of water waste. After thinking through their daily activities and doing a little research, they discovered the massive waste of water that occurs when people wash their cars at home.

During their research, however, they learned of a simple solution to that waste, and a way to encourage some of the biggest car-wash-waste offenders – charitable fundraisers – to go an alternative route: partnering with a local commercial car wash.

We are part of FIRST Lego League, a robotics team made up of fourth- through sixth-graders, said Jen Seco, the team's coach. Even through we're a robotics team, we're required to do a research project related to a theme assigned by the FIRST organization. Teams have to find a current problem around the theme, then come up with a solution. This year's theme, Hydrodynamics, had to do with finding a problem with the way humans use, transport, find and/or dispose of water.

The team got to work, focusing first on big problems, like the Flint Water Crisis and local flooding in their area after Hurricane Irma. The team quickly realized that those big problems would be harder to tackle, so they started to think about how they use water in their own lives. The team had answers like taking showers, brushing their teeth, doing dishes and washing their parents' cars, Seco said. Then we started thinking about businesses that use water, like water parks and car washes.

What happened next was a surprise for Seco and her students. We first thought that these businesses were a problem for water usage, she said. But we learned that they actually recycle and refresh their water. We learned charity car wash fundraisers are a huge offender of water waste. Yet almost every weekend we see cheerleaders and sports teams holding up signs for a car wash. We learned that since these washes were on paved surfaces, they offered no protection from the runoff entering our waterways.

The research helped the team develop their goal: come up with an alternative for teams and other charitable organizations to still raise money while doing car washes in an environmentally friendly way.

After talking with groups who had done car wash fundraisers, the team learned that the activities can bring in a lot of money. We knew we had to come up with a solution that would benefit the team raising money, the environment and the business who has agreed to partner with the team, Seco said.

Thankfully they knew exactly who to turn to. We know Charles & George's Car Wash is a highly respectable business that has done a lot for our local community, said Seco. Some of our team members' parents were already regular patrons, and it was actually a parent who contacted Charles to see if he would be willing to meet with us at our school.

Charles Holt, partner at Charles & George's Car Wash, which has three locations in Jacksonville and Orange Park, Fla., came to the school. The team shared that they wanted to learn more about how car washes work and understand how they conserve water.

He taught us so much about the car wash business, Seco said. We wanted to present a solution to share and educate teams on raising money without the waste. Charles was extremely supportive. He's a great leader and motivator, and really believed in our team. He believed in our idea so much that he donated 20 certificates to his wash. Our team sold all 20 tickets in less than a week.

Holt was excited about the team's plan. He was excited to meet a group of students who wanted to encourage other groups to find an alternative way to both raise money while also being water-conscious. His organization has partnered with a number of other fundraising teams, including the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, schools, churches and charities, like The American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy and more, and had experienced first-hand how they could be beneficial for all involved.

Holt said the experience he's had with teams like Seco's has usually worked out well. We have been very happy with our relationships with charity organizations, he said. When a business does a large donation to a group or non-profit, take into consideration the marketing benefit, and as a result, you can give more. We all need to give a little back.

Using the knowledge they gained in their research and from working with Holt, the robotics team created a brochure that they now share with local schools and athletic leagues who had previously held car washes. At first, some were defensive, believing they were very conscientious of their use, Seco said. When we explained they could raise the same amount of money, help the environment and help a local business, they were way more receptive.

Seco said that both she and the team learned what a great experience it is to support local businesses in their community. It benefits everyone to know the money is going right back into our community, she said.

The most interesting thing she and the students learned was about the water-conservation efforts in the car wash industry. It truly has been eye-opening to learn about how some car washes recycle their water,” she said. “And how they've been doing it for decades!

For other car washes who hope to partner with fundraising groups, Holt said it’s important to find a group with attainable goals that can also be profitable for your business. And they need to be able to market and represent your business in a positive way.

Businesses should work with groups to help them get the word out about how great your car wash is, he said. We've had past relationships that have been tremendous marketing tools for our business. The publicity is great, but the volunteers who work for the charity also become customers and spread the word. We feel that a large part of the cost of the donation comes back in good will and in new business.

Turning volunteers into new customers is a true story for Seco. The research her team uncovered has been life-changing.

I will never wash my car at home again, she said. And I will continue to speak to local teams holding washes on the side of the road, in hopes to limit the amount of water waste. I believe if teams and organizations knew that businesses wanted to help them, and that they could help the environment at the same time, they would do it in a heartbeat!