Grace for Vets reported a final tally today of 60,662 free carwashes performed for active and retired military service personnel Nov. 11 during its national carwash event. More than 500 carwash locations representing approximately 250 carwash companies in 44 states and Washington, D.C., took part in the annual Veterans Day celebration.
Started in 2004 by Cloister Wash & Lube, Grace for Vets has grown into a national program, with hundreds of carwashes participating each year. A list of this year's participants is published on the Grace for Vets Web site.
Founder Mike Mountz was encouraged by the growth of this year’s event and is already envisioning improvements for next year.
“What was most exciting and rewarding for me this year was to see the growth of the Grace for Vets effort nationwide,” Mountz said. “More washes, more associations, more publications and more suppliers got behind the program. We are also getting valuable feedback from participants, and that is very helpful. In 2010 we plan to create a board of advisers to put fuel to the momentum we created this year.”
In order to receive a free carwash at a location participating in Grace for Vets, veterans only have to verbally tell a carwash attendant that they are a retired veteran or active in the armed forces. No proof is required because program officials want the event to run under one of the military’s guiding principles, honor.
Related Articles: