MoreEPHRATA, PA — Grace for Vets, a program that honors all veterans and military personnel by giving them a free carwash on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, now has carwashes registered in all 50 states, according to program organizers, and includes 467 carwash companies representing 1,181 carwash locations, according to a press release.
Professional Carwashing & Detailing wants to know if you will be involved in this year's Grace for Vets offer. To participate in our monthly straw poll, please click here and scroll to the bottom of the screen to find the voting box.
Grace for Vets was created by Mike Mountz, CEO of Cloister Wash & Lube and a U.S. serviced veteran. During the Vietnam War, Mountz was injured and ended up at a military hospital in Valley Forge, PA. Not injured to the extent of the men and women around him, he was personally and profoundly moved by what he saw. He vowed to one day help veterans in some way. He started Grace for Vets in 2004, and since then hundreds of carwashes have participated and even more veterans have benefited from the program.
The group is looking forward to reporting record breaking numbers, and has set its goal to providing 100,000 free carwashes. Grace for Vets Project Manager Bob Ruhe told Professional Carwashing & Detailing he thinks that if the weather is friendly and carwash operators remember to report their numbers, the goal is attainable.
Ruhe stressed to PC&D that it is not too late for carwash operators to become involved. Carwash locations who wish to participate should visit the program’s website to learn how they can enroll their carwash site and access free promotional materials. Carwash sites who have participated in the past will still need to register again this year.
Finally, the results from last month's straw poll, which asked visitors to www.carwash.com if they supported the government’s plan to focus on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Over 60 percent said they agreed, and thought employers should be held accountable, while nearly nine percent selected, "I’m torn; I don’t like the idea of employers using illegal workers, but I also think the government should consider the individuals," and over 30 percent chose, "No, I think the government should focus on the illegal immigrants themselves."
