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| A Small Town Car Wash |
| Jodi Starr | 7/29/10 |
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| Back to the News Summaries |
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“Come on and give us a play. Get a wash right away. Car wash, talkin' about the car wash yeah! Woo, car wash” were the lyrics from the Car Wash song by Rose Royce bopping through my head as I observed the Pagosa Springs Leadership Camp go to wash and dry my people’s cars last Tuesday. It was a popular song when I was in Middle School and I boogied to it while my friends and I washed my Dad’s 1976 Buick Estate Wagon in our driveway. Continued...
The caption on the picture could read “Senior Center car wash by the Pagosa Springs Summer Leadership Program left to right: Suzy Mullen, Jacob Jolley, Cheyenne Martinez, Kyle Kirsop, Tessa Murray. Photo by Myron Carr. |
Myron Carr approached me in the snowy early Spring and pitched his program to me. Youth from 4th to 7th grades applied to the 6 week leadership program operated through the Archuleta County Department of Human Services (Social Services). The Camp’s purpose is to instill teamwork and leadership skills through service and experiential learning.
Myron suggested that the day campers offer a car wash to the Seniors for free because it is difficult for the Seniors to wash their cars and it is important for the students to learn the value of service to their fellow human beings. A car wash would also tire out this high energy group. Therefore it would be free of charge and last 3 hours.
Kristin Robertson, Facility Coordinator at the Community Center and Jim Miller, Parks Superintendent at the Town of Pagosa Springs agreed to donate time and water to the project. Suzy Mullen, of Axis Health Systems, donated countless hours to the program as a coleader with Myron. Ashely Sousa also volunteered to help. We, The Silver Foxes Den, agreed to feed the crew and provide the dirty vehicles.
 It was tuning up to be a classic 90 degree no cloud scorching hot day when the students arrived. They were dressed for business in swim suits and cut offs armed with a hose, sponges and buckets. Our people lined up for the wash, and came inside for coffee while they waited. “How much should I donate?” and “Who do I give the money to?” I was asked repeatedly.
“It is free. We aren’t taking donations.” I replied. They squinted at me with both disbelief and disapproval. “Why?”, They inquired. “Because people need to learn that sometimes you do something for someone else and not expect anything in return. It feels good.” I explained, “And it is our job to allow these kids to help us.” “Hmph”, was the response, “But they are working so hard and doing such a good job.”
What a beautiful world it is that allows for contagious joy with just water, sun, and a sense of mischief. After the last car was earnestly washed the sun kissed children were fed. Fortified, they returned to the buckets and the hose. The buckets were refilled while they eyed each other, planning their strategy. I could almost hear the flute music from Clint Eastwood’s movie “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.” Wild, wet mayhem ensued as the water fight and squeals were on. My people and I laughed out loud as we watched them.
One gentleman exclaimed, “That looks like fun. We should do a car wash.”
Thank you Pagosa Leadership Program for enthusiastically washing our cars and reminding us of childhood summer fun. Participants included Kaleb Kirsop, Kyle Kirsop, Jacob Carter, Jacob Jolley, Tessa Murray, Savvy Murray, Garrett Wade, Cheyenne Martinez, and Alec Fulbright. |
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