Each year, car wash organizations contribute countless hours and dollars to the communities they serve. We want to make sure we’re capturing those stories and highlighting that impact, so in every issue of CAR WASH Magazine we’ll be shedding light on some of these good deeds. 

Club Car Wash 

Two-time Superbowl champion, Travis Kelce, who has been part owner of Club Car Wash since April 2021, helped raise funds for the Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation and its commendable work with vulnerable youth in the city. Called the Kelce Car Jam powered by Club Car Wash, the fundraiser drew 750 people to a block-style party in Kansas City’s West Bottoms on Sept. 22. It was a party with a purpose, as its goal was to raise funds for the Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation. Two ticket levels were available: general admission for $87 and VIP for $287.

Music, food, drinks and, of course, some really cool cars were on display at the event, some from Travis' personal collection, such as his Rolls Royce and old school muscle car. 

“We [were] thrilled to have Club Car Wash on board for this event,” Kelce said, who founded Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation in 2015. It was more than a car show, it was a celebration of our community, he said. 

“Giving back to the community is very important to us as a family and as a business,” said Rollie Bartels, CEO and owner of Club Car Wash. “We are proud to support Eighty-Seven & Running and to help provide the opportunity for our youth to cultivate their talents, learn and grow.”

Club Car Wash’s fundraiser in February 2023 also benefited Eighty-Seven & Running — and celebrated Kelce’s second Super Bowl win with the Kansas City Chiefs. For every new Club Car Wash membership purchased, the company made a donation to Eighty-Seven & Running. With the help of new and existing members, the funds raised totaled $42,301.

“I am so grateful to Club Car Wash for the ongoing support of the Eighty-Seven & Running organization and I am excited about the opportunities that this fundraiser provided for the foundation,” Kelce said about the February event. 

Crew Carwash

While money isn’t everything, it sure does help. Which is why Crew Carwash does all it can to donate a sizeable amount to Big Brothers Big Sisters each year. 

That donation was a record-setter in 2023, Crew’s 14th annual Crew for Kids fundraiser.

With the help of the community, Crew for Kids raised $181,706 for Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies across Indiana and Minnesota. In total, the company has raised more than $1,000,000 for the nonprofit since its inaugural Crew for Kids fundraiser in 2010.

“Crew Carwash is a long-time supporter of Big Brothers Big Sisters. It is a cause close to everyone’s hearts at Crew as we have seen first-hand how powerful one-on-one-mentoring can be in a child’s life,” said Sally Grant, executive vice president of Crew Carwash, an Indiana-based family business.

As part of its Crew for Kids fundraiser, Crew committed to donating 50% of the proceeds from all Ultimate Washes sold to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The event took place July 15 at all Minnesota Crew Carwash locations and on July 22 at all 41 Indiana Crew Carwash locations.

“It’s so meaningful to us to have a partner equally committed to developing potential in our community, and we are so appreciative of every member of the Crew Carwash team for their effort and support,” said Darcey Palmer-Shultz, CEO of BBBS of Central Indiana. With the funds raised, Big Brothers Big Sisters will be able to create and support more than 90 new matches this year in the communities they serve. 

“We are so happy to support their mission to create positive relationships through one-to-one mentoring” Grant said. “We’ve been able to see first-hand what an impact the organization has on the youth in our community.” 

Take 5 Car Wash

Take 5 Car Wash and Take 5 Oil Change have committed a $1 million donation to support the expansion of Children’s Medical Center Plano.

“Community support is part of our culture,” said Danny Rivera, Driven Brands EVP and COO. “We have deep roots in the state with more than 300 Take 5 locations in Texas and our teams in the state are looking forward to supporting the expansion of Children’s Medical Center Plano.”

“The Take 5 donation will be recognized in one of the new patient family and visitor waiting areas on the Plano campus, providing a welcoming, comfortable space to decompress and rest from what can sometimes be stressful situations,” said Brent Christopher, president of Children’s Medical Center Foundation.

Children’s Medical Center Plano campus recently celebrated the topping out of its new expansion tower, signifying the completion of the building’s frame. This construction milestone marks another crucial step toward opening the 395,000-square-foot tower at the end of 2024. 
 
The tower will house expanded pediatric subspecialty care programs. It will also nearly triple the number of available patient beds from 72 to 212.

Take 5 Oil Change and Take 5 Car Wash are part of Driven Brand. Through its charitable arm, the Driven Brands Charitable Foundation, the company has supported children’s hospitals nationwide for almost 20 years, donating more than $4 million since its fundraising initiative began.

Tommy’s Express Car Wash 

On Sept. 19, Team Tommy’s partnered with Hand2Hand to help with the nonprofit’s cause. At Tommy’s new headquarters in Holland, Mich., more than 60 volunteers from various departments volunteered throughout the day. “It was an all-day event where team members signed up for one-hour shifts to help pack food items,” said Megan Meerman at Tommy’s. 

Hand2Hand ensures kids in West Michigan, ages 3-18, have access to food over the weekend. 

“Our team members are passionate about giving back, even more so when it is for those in our own backyard. Many of our team members have young children and understand the importance of organizations like Hand2Hand that help children thrive,” Meerman said. “The enthusiasm and excitement from the team — as well as the competitive spirit of who can pack their group’s quota the fastest — was a highlight of the day.”

This is the third year Tommy’s has partnered with Hand2Hand, each year giving and packing a little more. This year, the 1,500 full packs included 10 food items for students to take home over the weekend.

“We are so grateful to partner with you as we work together to provide weekend food to 10,365 students in our community!” said Emily Bult, community engagement manager at Hand2Hand.

“It's important for us to have an impact on our local communities because it directly relates to our company's core values of enriching lives, adding value and serving communities,” Meerman said. 

Share Your Good Deeds

Let us know what causes are important to you and how you are making a difference in your community in 2023. We’ll feature submissions in CAR WASH Magazine and during The Car Wash Show, when the ICA Community Impact Award winner is spotlighted in the CAR WASH Magazine Live Studio. Visit www.carwash.org/community to let us know your story.