Christian Gammon-Roy
Tribune
Discount Hand Car Wash/Krown Sturgeon Falls held their 9th annual Wash for a Wish charity car wash event on Saturday, June 14th. According to owner Cory Lafond, this year’s event drew 343 vehicles and raised around $3,600 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada. “It’s $10 per car, but it’s donation based, and some people will give us $20 to $300 or $400. It just depends how much people want to donate,” describes Lafond, adding that the majority of people donate more than the minimum $10.
While the event is nation-wide, the Sturgeon Falls location manages to take the number one spot for donations on a regular basis, and this year was no different. “The next dealer was over 100 or 150 cars below us!” Lafond proudly proclaims.
Getting that many vehicles washed in a day is quite an endeavour, Lafond admits. “It’s supposed to go from 8am or 9am to 2pm. Well, we come in at 6:30 (…) in the morning until 2 o’clock,” he explains, adding that his wife and granddaughter even came in to help this year. Despite the early morning, Lafond assures that they are happy to do it for the kids served by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada. “We really put our hearts in it knowing that it’s going to help someone.”
After 9 years, Lafond says that they have regulars who return to the event every year. “There’s a bunch of people that every year we do this, they come in and support the cause,” he beams, adding that other local businesses also help by sending their clients over. “We get a lot of support from trailer parks and campgrounds,” he explains, adding that the parks spread the word to their seasonal renters, who then show up to support the fundraiser.
