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. Have a story to share? Share it with us.

ZIPS Car Wash

“We know that we wouldn’t be who we are today without the communities we serve,” said Rebecca Latacz, chief marketing officer at ZIPS Car Wash. “We’re committed to partnering with local schools, local nonprofits and local veteran services organizations because we care about the community we serve and the places where our team members live, work and play.”

As 2024 was a special year for ZIPS Car Wash — which celebrated its 279th site and its 20th anniversary in car washing in 2024 — a special fundraising campaign was also launched that included a national partnership with Folds of Honor. 

“We are commemorating our 20th anniversary with financial gifts in the form of educational scholarships to students across the country through our national partnership with Folds of Honor,” Latacz said. “We’ve recognized 20 scholarship recipients in 2024 — each given a $1,000 scholarship — to honor American heroes and fulfill our $20,000 Give Back Tour commitment to Folds of Honor with the hope that we can make a life changing impact on military families by helping fuel their academic dreams.”

ZIPS has made a longstanding commitment to veteran service organizations, with donations of over $20,000 made from 2020-2023 to over 10 organizations. 

With the 20th Anniversary Give Back Tour, that donation amount more than tripled for 2024, though. “With the help of our customers, we’re donating over $75,000 to Folds of Honor this year for academic scholarships for military families,” Latacz said.

“It has been an honor to celebrate their service with academic scholarships gifted to them in celebration of our 20 years of car washing,” she said. “Folds of Honor gives 91% of donated funds to academic scholarships and honors sacrifice with opportunity across many of the markets that we serve. Plus, 45% of all scholarships rewarded by Folds of Honor represent minority families, making the recipient families as diverse as our ZIPS team.”

One of the scholarship recognition events even included a surprise visit by a University of North Carolina men’s basketball starter, Seth Trimble. He was filming a ZIPS “Car Wash Convos™” episode and took time out for a meet-and-greet with scholarship recipient Johnathan Veeneman. Veeneman is a pre-med/biology major at UNC and hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon and a sports team doctor. His father, Col. Terry Robert Veeneman, served in the U.S. Army for 26 years through 10 combat deployments specializing in special forces.

“These families are appreciative, hardworking, community-minded residents who we are thrilled to assist with their academic goals,” Latacz said.

Assistance from an App
Rebecca Latacz said they also had some unexpected help with fundraising in the form of their new ZIPS Car Wash mobile app, which launched in 2024. On key military holidays, ZIPS fans were encouraged to download the new app and, in return, ZIPS added a $1 donation to Folds of Honor for every download on those days. “Our customers responded with urgency to support Folds of Honor while also gaining the benefits of our new mobile app,” Latacz said, adding that this marketing campaign secured the most engagement.

ZIPS gives a big shout out to Seth Trimble, UNC Men’s Basketball Starter, who took some time during his filming of ZIPS Car Wash Convos™ Season 3 at ZIPS in Durham, N.C., to meet and greet with ZIPS Folds of Honor scholarship recipient Johnathan Veeneman. (Pictured left)

Folds of Honor student Christian Isaiah James Lovelace helps at the opening of a newly remodeled ZIPS Car Wash in St. Louis, Mo. Christian is a tenth-grader at Westminster Christian Academy and his favorite subjects are French, science and history. His mother, Senior Airman Takisha Lavett Cabknor, served four years in the U.S. Air Force and was disabled in the line of duty. (Pictured below)

Ribbon cutting with Folds of Honor at ZIPS Car Wash, St. Louis, Mo.

Kayla Renae Eddins of Knoxville, Tenn., graduated from the University of Tennessee with a major in neuroscience and aspires to become a physician’s assistant specializing in neurology. She was honored at a Tennessee Smokies game, due to ZIPS sponsorship of the local Minor League Baseball team, as a Folds of Honor scholarship recipient as part of the ZIPS 20th Anniversary Give Back Tour — and she threw the first pitch. Her father, Master Sergeant Edward Lee Eddins, served in the U.S. Army for six years before becoming disabled. 

Tidal Wave Auto Spa

Each September, Tidal Wave Auto Spa selects a local charity at each of its wash locations, many with an emphasis on the special needs community, to receive 50% of its gross sales at its annual Charity Day, and the other 50% of the proceeds are donated to Annandale Village, a Georgia-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing life assistance to adults with developmental disabilities. Each location also collects cash donations from customers. 

On Sept. 20, Tidal Wave hosted its 16th annual Charity Day with 269 sites participating — almost 100 more sites than in 2023— and had record-breaking numbers: $685,142 will be donated to over 250 different organizations across the country, said Jennifer Rogers, who heads up Tidal Wave’s culture and community relations and is project coordinator for Charity Day.

Since its founding in 2004 by Scott and Hope Blackstock in their hometown of Thomaston, Ga., Tidal Wave has embraced small-town values and a strong dedication to giving back to the community. “The founders knew they needed to grow the business to take care of their family, but they also wanted to take care of the people of Thomaston and bring opportunity to the community,” Rogers said.

So, despite recommendations from consultants to relocate Tidal Wave to Atlanta, the Blackstocks kept the company rooted in Thomaston – providing jobs for hundreds of residents and helping rebuild the economy. “That same mindset is extended to all communities where there are Tidal Wave locations: build roots in the local community to be a valued retailer and force for good,” Rogers said.

This applies to their community partners, as well.

“The company has focused much of its charitable-giving efforts on supporting organizations that serve adults and children with special needs. They’ve even reimagined traditional car wash fundraisers by providing a safer and more conducive environment for fundraising on their car wash lots,” Rogers said. “Their son Justis gave them inspiration, as he has special needs, which also gave them enormous insight into the resources required.”

Annandale Village has been Tidal Wave’s official corporate charity partner for the last 10 years. Annandale is one of just three nonprofit residential communities in the entire country and serves adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Tidal Wave also partners with multiple 501(c)(3) corporations for Charity Day.

“Many of the organizations supported are long-time partners from the first years of the event,” Rogers said. Site leaders at each location are encouraged to partner with their communities and local networks to identify the ideal nonprofit for Charity Day. Recently, a social media campaign was launched to connect with potential partners in these areas. “The campaign proved to be highly successful in fostering new community relationships that will continue for years to come,” Rogers said.

Now, Tidal Wave is up to 282 express wash locations in 29 states with another 19 under construction — a far cry from where they were 16 years ago when Charity Day started. And Charity Day has also evolved significantly. In 2024, the team began preparations as early as March for the event, which takes place in September. And, in addition to charitable efforts during Charity Day, Scott and Hope Blackstock donated an additional $100,000 in 2024 to refurbish and update the activity/programs center on the Annandale Village campus. 

“The day is all about giving back to the deserving partners,” Rogers said, adding that, to date, Tidal Wave has donated over $2 million from its annual Charity Day. 

On Charity Day, Tidal Wave Auto Spa raises funds for its official charity partner, Annandale Village, as well as multiple other nonprofits.

WOW Carwash

Since 2019, WOW Carwash has been a supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, working to support its mission of advancing research and treatment for pediatric cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Over the past five years, WOW Carwash has raised more than $46,048 through various campaigns and community contributions. But this year marked a new milestone, as WOW became a Champion Level Sponsor for the first time, donating $10,000.

As part of this Champion sponsorship, WOW Carwash was thrilled to host its very own “WOW Carwash Corner” at the Nevada St. Jude Walk/Run event. The corner was a special area where children could immerse themselves in a playful car wash experience, bringing a sense of joy and fun to the important event. The kids had the opportunity to wash toy cars using colorful foam and microfiber towels, simulating what it’s like to work at a real car wash. “The interactive station was a huge hit, allowing children to enjoy and understand the process in a lighthearted and engaging way,” said Hilary Woodring, chief brand officer at WOW Carwash. There was also a coloring station, and guests of all ages were invited to spin the wheel to win WOW-branded swag and enter for a chance to win a year of free car washes.

One special moment at the event came from a young participant named Conner, battling pediatric cancer, Woodring said. “Conner and his team of supporters, ‘Conner’s Spy Ninjas,’ were captivated by the mini car wash station, spending much of his time playing with and washing the toy cars. His joy and enthusiasm captured the spirit of the event and highlighted the impact that small gestures of fun can bring to families and children facing difficult challenges,” she said.

In addition to the fun activities, WOW Carwash leveraged its sports partnerships with the Vegas Golden Knights (VGK) to bring an extra dose of excitement to the day. The VGK Vivas, a fan-favorite cheer squad, made a special appearance, adding energy and cheering on the race participants, creating a festive and supportive atmosphere.

The WOW Carwash community played an instrumental role in this year’s success. From July through August, WOW’s guests had the opportunity to donate to St. Jude through WOW’s point-of-sale system. Their support resulted in over $30,000 in guest donations.

In total, WOW Carwash was able to donate $40,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital this year, surpassing any amount raised in previous years. “This achievement not only reflects the dedication of WOW Carwash and its guests but also underscores the power of community involvement in making a difference in the lives of children battling life-threatening illnesses,” Woodring said.

“St. Jude ensures that no family ever receives a bill for treatment, travel, housing or food, a mission that resonates deeply with us at WOW Carwash,” Woodring said. 

Heath Pomerantz, CEO of WOW Carwash, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to partner with St. Jude every year. It’s such an important cause and we’re always looking for ways to do bigger and better things for our community. The generosity of our guests and the hard work of our team have made this year’s contribution our largest yet, and we look forward to continuing this incredible journey with St. Jude.”

“We firmly believe in the power of giving back and making a difference in our community,” Woodring said.

The interactive car wash experience at the “WOW Carwash Corner” included colorful foam and microfiber towels — and was a huge hit. (Pictured left)