Belmont High Service Group Cleans Up at Car Wash Fundraiser

For Alice Melnikoff, Belmont High School's community service coordinator, there was only one word to describe Saturday's fundraiser at Belmont Car Wash.

"It was crazy," said Melnikoff, who was leading the school's Belmontian Community Service Club at a charity car wash held on Saturday, March 30 to benefit Cradles to Crayons, the Brighton-based non-profit organization which provides gently-used clothes and material for needy Massachusetts children.

"We had traffic jams on the lot," said Melnikoff of the activity – more than 100 cars per hour came through the car wash – during the five hours the fundraiser took place where all tips and $1 per vehicle was donated by the car wash to the cause. 

While she did not know the exact amount made yet, "we know it had to be at least $2,200 in tips," said Melnikoff, not knowing if Belmont Car Wash would be adding something "extra."

In February, the Belmontian Club collected funds at Shaw’s, sponsored PJ Days at Belmont High School and elementary schools, and raised more than $2,900 for Cradles to Crayons.

The club members were hoping the car wash would allow them to reach the $4,000 target they set for themselves, said Melnikoff.