Sun shines on carwash fundraiser

Scouts were rained out last time they tried to raise money for hurricane relief.It had all the makings of a fruitful fundraiser -- enthusiastic volunteers, altruistic sponsors and an attractive event location.

But nature didn’t cooperate with Costa Mesa’s Boy Scout Troop 711 last month during the first weekend of its ongoing car wash fundraiser. Cars trickled into the Burger King Parking lot on Harbor Boulevard slowly on that Saturday in October, and rain forced the organizers to cut short the event the following day.

Business was better on this sunny November Saturday. A steady stream of vehicles visited the car wash in Costa Mesa, which is being held to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The young volunteers washed and polished an array of cars. The car owners chatted with scouts’ parents. Prospects for a lucrative weekend seemed bright.

“It’s better than it being cold,” said Boy Scout Robert Rutan, a 14-year-old Costa Mesa resident.

More than 60 people are in Troop 711, and most of them live in Costa Mesa. Only a few were able to volunteer Saturday because the troop had a previously scheduled hike near Big Bear.

Newport Harbor High School sophomore Daniel Stelle was one of those who skipped the trip and stayed to wash cars. He thought of the fundraising idea a few months back and floated the idea to members of his troop.

“They were pretty psyched about it,” Stelle said. “We wanted to do something. People can use the help to rebuild their homes.”

Money raised through the fundraiser is being given to Habitat For Humanity, an organization that helps build houses for those in need. Stelle, 15, said he hopes to raise about $2,000 in the coming weekends.

Stelle washed cars during his summer break two years ago and said he was confident people would attend the carwash fundraiser. His mother, Kelly Stelle, helped wipe down vehicles Saturday.

“I’m proud of him,” she said. “It was something he could do to help his community. He got this together without needing much help.”

The troops have been supported by corporate sponsors. Burger King allowed the group to use its parking lot and water supply.

Kelly Stelle’s company, Irvine Speedometer, donated washing and drying supplies. A Laguna Beach design company gave them a banner to place near Harbor Boulevard.

And Kinkos printed the blue carwash tickets that troop members are selling in their neighborhoods.

In the past years, this Boy Scout troop has worked on volunteer projects in the Back Bay and in Costa Mesa. Their volunteer hours go toward high school requirements and Eagle Scout merit badges.

Troop member Martin Kincheloe of Costa Mesa said he was happy to give up part of his Saturday.

Hurricane victims “have nothing left,” he said. “It’s nice to help.”

The troop will be washing cars on the following weekends: Dec. 10 and 11; Jan. 21 and 22; Feb. 4 and 5; and March 4 and 5.

Members will be at the Burger King, 3150 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information, call (714) 323-7641.

20051113ipv97xknKENT TREPTOW / DAILY PILOT(LA)Chris MacLean, 16, left, and Matthew Dimson, 12, dry the front of a freshly washed car as Daniel Stelle, 15, dries the roof Saturday.