CARSTAR Declares "A Dirty Car Is a Thing of Beauty" in Push to Reach $2-million Fundraising Milestone at National Car Wash

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Jun 06, 2012, 10:00 ET

World-renowned Dirty Car Artist Scott Wade joins ninth annual Soaps It Up for Cystic Fibrosis Canada

HAMILTON, ON, June 6, 2012 /CNW/ - For the past eight years, dirty cars have been making beautiful things happen for Cystic Fibrosis Canada through the annual CARSTAR Soaps It Up for Cystic Fibrosis National Car Wash Fundraiser. At this year's event on Saturday, June 9th, CARSTAR locations across the country will surpass $2-million in funds raised for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. To mark this major milestone, Canada's number one auto collision network has officially declared the dirty car an object of beauty, commissioning world-renowned "dirty car artist" Scott Wade to literally transform dirty cars into works of art at a one-of-a-kind single-day exhibit in Toronto. Franchise Partners across the country will then emulate Scott Wade's work by featuring their own dirty car art on June 9^th at their local Soaps It Up car washes to celebrate the volunteers and donors who have made the $2-million fundraising milestone possible.

CARSTAR's dirty car art exhibit in Toronto kicks-off a national awareness campaign for this year's Soaps It Up car wash. Working with the theme of "objects of beauty" - a category to which CARSTAR and Scott Wade believe a dirty car truly belongs, Wade has created seven unique works of dirty car art, inspired by iconic images of beauty ranging from beautiful landscapes (e.g. Lake Louise) to beautiful architecture (e.g. the Toronto skyline) to beautiful talent (e.g. Canadian musicians ranging from Joni Mitchell to Justin Bieber). Wade's original works will be on display on Wednesday, June 6th - in advance of Soaps It Up weekend - at Edition / Richmond Luxury Townhomes Presentation Centre in Toronto, who donated their event space to assist in awareness for the cause. Photos will be posted online at www.carstar.ca/soapsitup on Thursday, June 7th.

This year's Soaps It Up for Cystic Fibrosis National Car Wash Fundraiser marks the ninth year that volunteers and staff from CARSTAR locations across Canada will scrub away the spring mud and give vehicles a summer sparkle. Events will take place in 55 cities on Saturday, June 9^th, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST (dates and times may vary based on location, visit www.carstar.ca/soapsitup for more details). The funds raised at each car wash will support Cystic Fibrosis Canada and local charities. This also marks the fourth consecutive year that CARSTAR U.S. will be taking part in Soaps It Up with 100 percent of the ticket purchase benefiting their selected charities and more than 120 CARSTAR stores throughout both countries are expected to participate in the event.

"For nine years we have been raising money for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, one vehicle at a time, in hopes of finding a cure for cystic fibrosis," said Sam Mercanti, President and CEO of CARSTAR Collision & Glass Centres. "To be on the cusp of $2-million in funds raised for Cystic Fibrosis Canada is without a doubt a beautiful thing for CARSTAR and I am tremendously proud of our Franchise Partners, vendor sponsors, volunteers and Canadians who have supported this initiative."

CARSTAR has been a proud supporter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada since learning that a granddaughter of a Franchise Partner had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF). Victoria Whitaker's story inspired the Soaps It Up campaign. Nine years later, Victoria continues to live a positive and inspiring life in her home of Smithville, Ontario and has remained the inspiration behind each car washed and every dollar raised.

"The funds raised through Soaps It Up are invested in life-saving CF research and care and help bring hope to 4,000 Canadians living with this devastating disease," said Maureen Adamson, President and CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Canada. "We applaud our outstanding partner CARSTAR for their ongoing commitment in the fight against cystic fibrosis."

Cystic fibrosis is a multi-system disease that affects mainly the lungs and the digestive system and is the most common fatal genetic disease that affects Canadian children and young adults. Each week in Canada, two children are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and one person dies from the disease. There is no cure. Ultimately, most CF-related deaths are due to lung disease.

Tickets for CARSTAR Soaps It Up can be purchased for a minimum $5 donation and are available at participating CARSTAR locations across the country or online at www.carstar.ca/soapsitup. Consumers who purchase tickets are eligible for a chance to win one of 100 prizes including an all-inclusive trip for two to Costa Rica, an Apple prize package (featuring a Macbook Air, iPad, and more) and a $1,000 shopping spree.

Sponsors for CARSTAR Soaps It Up include: AkzoNobel, NAPA, AIR MILES®, BASF, Cystic Fibrosis Canada, DAC Group, Nolitours and King Rose Travel. Discount Car and Truck Rentals and Enterprise Rent-A-Car, two valued CARSTAR partners, have graciously donated vehicles for CARSTAR's Dirty Car Art exhibit in Toronto.

About CARSTAR Collision & Glass Centres

CARSTAR is the largest and fastest growing automotive repair franchise in North America, with over 400 locations. Founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1995, CARSTAR Collision & Glass Centres has grown from eight to over 160 locations throughout 10 provinces. Within Canada, CARSTAR repairs approximately 100,000 vehicles per year, with exceptionally high customer experience ratings. Through a variety of fundraising initiatives, CARSTAR, its franchisees, partners and employees have raised over $1.9 million for Cystic Fibrosis Canada. In 2012, CARSTAR was recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. For more information, please visit: www.carstar.ca.

Image with caption: ""Da Vinci of Dust," artist Scott Wade, reveals beauty in dirty cars at Toronto exhibit to celebrate $2 million raised for Cystic Fibrosis through CARSTAR's annual national Soaps it Up car wash. (CNW Group/CARSTAR Collision & Glass Centres)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120606_C5696_PHOTO_EN_14788.jpg