Marine wash nets $6,600

The Thundering Third Marines raised about $6,600 at a car wash Sept. 23, the money to be donated for the Marine Corps Ball on Nov. 18. After seeing the huge response, the Camp Pendleton Marines plan to hold another car wash at three locations in Huntington Beach.

Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion/1st Marines regiment at Camp Pendleton were adopted by the city in 2005.

They washed about 150 cars at the 76 gas station at Adams and Magnolia streets, and another 100 cars at the Huntington Harbour Yacht Club.

The Marines were overwhelmed with the outpouring from people who came to get their cars washed and some who just dropped by, said Cindy Cross, executive director of the city’s 3/1 committee.

“Several people brought doughnuts to the guys as they came to have their cars washed,” Cross said. “One gentleman named Scott and his wife bought every one of the guys massive hamburgers, fries, giant drinks and more from the Carl’s Jr. next to the 76 station — and they had only stopped in to have their car washed.”

Amy’s Flowers in Huntington Harbour Mall sent a big bouquet and card to the Marines, and a teacher dropped off pictures and messages to the Marines from the kids in her class at the yacht club, Cross added.

The 3/1 committee plans to hold the Oct. 21 car wash at the yacht club, the 76 station and a third location still to be finalized.

— Purnima Mudnal