CARSTAR Collision Centers to Make Magic Happen With Largest North American Car Wash in History

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Abracadabra! What can disappear under mountains of soap bubbles – and reappear as support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and kids with cystic fibrosis across North America?

It isn't hocus pocus – it's the second annual CARSTAR Soaps It Up! Car Wash, North America's largest car wash event, which last year set the Guinness World Record for "Most Cars Washed – Multiple Venues" by washing more than 4,000 vehicles in eight hours.

Themed "Making Magic Happen – One Car at a Time", the Soaps It Up! Car Wash will be held across the U.S. and Canada on June 12, 2010 as a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis in Canada and the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America, as well as some local market charities.  More than 140 CARSTAR stores throughout both countries are expected to participate in the one-day event.  Tickets are being sold at participating CARSTAR stores for $10, with 100 percent of the ticket purchase benefiting the selected charities.

"Last year we launched Soaps It Up as a program for helping our valued customers in the United States and Canada to prepare their vehicles for the summer driving season, and as a powerful channel for giving back to the communities we serve,"  said Dick Cross, Chairman and CEO of CARSTAR.  "In continuing the tradition, our hope for this year's event is to top last year's record setting effort, while having a fun day and feeling especially good about the contributions we'll be making to others.  From the momentum that's building, it's already beginning to feel like both of those goals are within our sights."

In order to make even tough-to-clean car parts look better, CARSTAR is partnering with 3M to offer a $3 rebate on either the 3M Headlight Lens Restoration System or the 3M Lens Renewal Kit, products which make headlight lenses clearer and keep people safe on the road.

CARSTAR also is partnering with Hertz, who is providing an offer of up to $15 off of a weekend rental with every ticket purchase.

"I'm grateful that CARSTAR is doing so much to bring hope, strength and joy to our courageous wish kids," said David Williams, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.  "The Soaps It Up event does a great deal to raise funds, and also raises awareness for our life-affirming mission in so many communities."

CARSTAR stores in Canada have been conducting the "Soaps It Up!" Car Wash for the past six years, and this is the second time the program has been done in the United States.  Last year's event was the first attempt for any organization to set the record for the largest car wash across multiple locations.

For more information on the "Soaps It Up!" Car Wash and for participating locations, visit www.CARSTAR.com.  

About CARSTAR

CARSTAR is the largest group of branded collision repair centers in North America with over 400 locally owned and operated locations in 28 states and 10 Canadian provinces. CARSTAR is committed to providing consistent quality services to our customers and insurance partners and has repaired more than 2.5 million cars since it was founded in 1989. Our technicians and front office staff receive ongoing training to ensure they are qualified to work on any vehicle. Customer satisfaction is our number one priority as we consistently lead the industry in customer satisfaction ratings.

CARSTAR not only has the highest customer satisfaction rating in the industry, but it is also involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. CARSTAR is involved with many charitable events at the local level to help support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more information, visit www.carstar.com.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 188,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

SOURCE CARSTAR Collision Centers