Many cities are shutting down car wash fundraisers due to water shortages, droughts and potential issues with storm water discharges from the wash water affluent. It is against the law to let dirty water go into a storm drain. So, now carwashes, which have been complaining to cities to get the municipal environmental departments to shut down the car wash fundraisers through lobbying efforts, are now saying that they will provide carwash fundraisers a different way - by letting the kids sell coupons for the car wash.
Are non-profit groups complaining about the coupon schemes that really are a big bonanza for carwash owners? After all, these coupon washes are just PR for the car wash owners, they are not significant fund raisers. Kids groups need lots of money for travel, sports teams, cheerleaders, HS bands, etc. fuel is up at $3.00 plus, they need the money and the funds, these coupon washes do not come close.
In my travels, I have met people at Starbucks who have told me of the small amounts of money they make with coupon schemes at carwashes. They were not thrilled with the results, of course they would never complain in public because every little bit helps and they would not wish to burn their donors. Even if they made $500, they would say, well we made $500, that's good?
Now what, I guess we will do some more Candy Sales. Hey, do Candy Sales help the environment - How about Childhood Obesity? Do we really want all non-profit groups to go out and sell candy? How about "High-Fructose Corn Syrup" or transfat laced cigarettes?
Professional Carwash Magazine and the ICA - International Car Wash Association are always having stories on how to work with the community and do little promotional type things. The problem is that even if they do this for a couple of groups every so often, that does not near quench the desire and needed funds for these groups.
In nearly every city in America on a sunny Saturday, kids groups and their parents are out doing car wash fundraisers. Are we to allow cities to stop the kids from making money, when they can easily find ways to prevent the water from entering the storm drains while washing?
The best part about all this is that most City code enforcement departments do not go out on the weekends much to shut them down and many cities that have these rules on the books, do not enforce it unless someone complains, which is usually a car wash owner.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington
Source: www.articlecity.com
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