I didn’t make it 30 minutes before I checked my phone for the time. I — along with many of my Plant City Lions Club brothers and sisters — had devoted Sunday to washing cars as a fundraiser for Taylor Goethals, a 15-year-old girl battling cancer for the second time.
Fellow Lion Frank Cummings had volunteered his business, Walden Lake Car Wash, as the host site. When I arrived, Frank directed me to the end of the car-washing line — the hand-drying phase. Eager to help, I grabbed two towels and went to it.
It was barely after 10 a.m., but already, the sun began pressing down with its Florida fury. Fifteen minutes in, I had a collar of sweat around my neck. And, sometime shortly after the first bead trickled its way into my left eye, I grabbed my iPhone.
Around me, though, Frank’s guys were just getting started. Complete pros, they darted from car and pickup to SUV and minivan, chasing and eliminating streaks and drips. They sprayed wheels with a solution to dissolve that brown road residue, then applied a protective coating to the sides of every tire. They topped it all off with any number of air fresheners and sent each customer away with a smile and a wave.
Here’s the kicker: My shift ended after just one half-day of work. The next day, I woke up, got into my air-conditioned (and now, clean) car, drove to my air-conditioned office and sat in front of my laptop screen all day.
These guys — Frank’s guys — were back at it when the car wash opened at 8 a.m. Monday. They had volunteered their only day off to do the same job they do every other day of the week. And they did it with smiles on their faces and grace in their hearts. It was amazing to be a part of yet another example of how Plant City cares for its own. But, to do it alongside these guys — that’s an experience I won’t soon forget.
Rico Garcia was more than happy to show all of us the proper way to dry a car.
Always start at the front, he told us. Then, you’ll never forget where you left off.
Every once in a while, I caught Rico smiling at all of us volunteers. As we sought refuge under the quickly disappearing shade nearby, Rico and his colleagues remained in the middle of the action — picking up whatever slack the volunteers inevitably left for them.
It’s hard work, isn’t it? he asked, with a grin.
After my shift, I barely made it up the stairs and into the shower — then collapsed on the bed in exhaustion. As I lay there, I kept hearing something that Frank told me at the end of the fundraiser: This wasn’t even a busy day.
Giving these guys a little press was the least I could do to thank them for their time and effort to help raise $6,500 for Taylor. I hope they enjoy seeing their names and photos in the paper — and that they know I have complete admiration and respect for the job they do.