Carwash locations participating in this year's Grace for Vets promotion provided more than 100,000 free carwashes to military veterans Nov. 11 for the first time in the program's six-year history.
Although final numbers have not been determined, as of this afternoon 402 of a record 550 participating carwash companies reported providing 100,654 free carwashes during the annual Veterans Day promotion, according to the Grace for Vets Web site.
The 1,314 carwash locations that registered to participate in last week’s event more than doubled 2009 figures. Last year, 655 carwashes took part in the celebration. The 550 companies that registered with Grace for Vets this year, also more than doubled 2009 company participation.
Carwash facilities in all 50 states participated in Grace for Vets for the first time, giving organizers confidence they would reach their 100,000 free-carwash goal.
Carwashes in Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming participated in Grace for Vets for the first time.
In order to receive a free wash at a carwash participating in Grace for Vets, veterans and active service personnel only had to verbally tell a carwash attendant that they were a retired veteran or active in the armed forces. No proof was required because program officials wanted the event to run under one of the military’s guiding principles — honor.
Grace for Vets was founded in 2004 by Mike Mountz, president of Cloister Wash & Lube. A list of this year's registered carwash participants can be viewed here.