Voluntary Effort Raises Cash For Hurricane Victims

September 10, 2005

St. Petersburg, FL --- Never underestimate that individuals can take the initiative to help others in need. Scott Palacheck of St. Petersburg Florida did just that. "I wanted to do something to help victims of Hurricane Katrina" said Palacheck, but what?  After some brainstorming with friends he decided on a car wash. With only seven days to pull together the relief effort, Palacheck found a car wash location, supplies, people, even food and cold drinks for the volunteers, plus a website to promote the event. 

But It wasn't easy and time wasn't on Palacheck's side. With only a week, he needed to find a location with a water supply. He did find a person who volunteered his building location, but they soon found out, there was no outside water supply, No go, back to square one.  With just a few days and a lot of phone calls Palacheck finally found his location, thanks to Shane Hill manager of the CVS Pharmacy on 845 4th St. N. in St. Petersburg.  Mr. Hill not only donated the parking lot, hose and water but also provided free cold beverages and snacks for the hard working volunteers. 

Palacheck still wanted to do more, so he continued to contact other St. Petersburg businesses to donate supplies such as Fast Signs who created two car wash banners and McDonald's who provided 30 hamburgers and fries for the car wash volunteers. 

Volunteers were needed too. By that weekend Palacheck found a diverse group of 15 volunteers who did a great job washing the cars.  

The day was a success! Everyone from the donors getting their cars washed to the volunteers had a great time and in under eight hours raised over $700 in cash donations. The cash was donated directly to the Tampa Bay Chapter of the American Red Cross. 

Check out the local recognition from the press and the Mayor of St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg Mayor at Hurricane Relief Car Wash

by Julie Chorgo-Gilson 

In an effort to encourage and support the local Hurricane Katrina Relief Efforts in St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, stopped by the CVS at 845 Forth St. N. to greet the car wash volunteers and coordinator, Scott Palacheck (photo far right).

• American Red Cross--818 4th St. N. St Pete--For Donating Tent, Collection Bottles & Volunteers. 
• CVS Pharmacy--845 4th St. N. St. Pete--For Donating Parking Lot, Water, Supplies & Refreshments for volunteers.
• Fast Signs 408 33rd Ave. N #A, St. Petersburg, FL  33704--For Donating a Sign for car wash.
• McDonald's at 9600 4th St. N., St. Petersburg, FL 33702,--for pledging 30 cheeseburgers and fries to car wash volunteers.
  

THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!

Stephen Bennett

Cathy Brown

Annette Donovan

Julie Gilson

Kira Gilson

Dana Hicks

Ryan Kendrick

Sean Kendrick

P.J. Martin

Brian Metzgar

Scott Palacheck

Billy Peters

Pete Petersew

Elzie Williams

Vicki Wilson

Region Pitches In To Help

By MARLA MARINO
Published: Sep 10, 2005

TAMPA From washing cars to getting a haircut to donating Delta SkyMiles, there are multiple ways Bay area residents can help in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts this weekend.

Local businesses and nonprofit organizations are planning events today and in the weeks to come to collect donations. Private citizens also are dreaming up ways to raise money.

St. Petersburg resident Scott Palacheck was brainstorming with friends one morning and decided on a car wash today to raise money for the American Red Cross.

The car wash will be at 845 Fourth St. N. in St. Petersburg. 

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Bay Area Extends Helping Hand At Weekend Katrina Benefits

By ANGELA DELGADO

Published: Sep 11, 2005

Several blocks away, Scott Palacheck and his carwashing crew scrubbed dirt off vehicles to aid the American Red Cross. As of 1 p.m., they had raised about $160. Lowe's Companies Inc. will match the amount collected, Palacheck said.

As more cars arrived at the CVS pharmacy at 845 Fourth St. N., Connie Schuster, 44, approached Palacheck to offer her services.

"I need to try and start doing something," Schuster said, beginning to cry.

Schuster is from New Orleans. She and her two Labs, Maggie and Mabel, lost their home and are staying with Schuster's sister in Tampa. Saturday, she was looking for a new home when she stopped by the American Red Cross tent.

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