July 18, 2008 // Franchising.com // HAMILTON, ON – Hundreds of CARSTAR franchisees and volunteers helped raise over $80,000 for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) and other local fundraising groups at the fifth annual CARSTAR 'Soaps it Up!' for Cystic Fibrosis National Car Wash' Day. This year, there were more than 55 car wash events across the country and last year's total was surpassed by $15,000.
"I am very impressed with this year's 'Soaps it Up' fundraising campaign," said Sam Mercanti, President and CEO, CARSTAR Automotive Canada. "We beat last year's total and couldn't have done it without the support of our franchisees and partners as well as CCFF volunteers, local fundraising groups and the CARSTAR staff members across the country. We continue to be amazed by the effort put forth by our franchisees and their demonstration of commitment to their communities."
CARSTAR volunteers, community groups and local chapters of the CCFF helped 'soap up' over 4,000 vehicles during the event, which took place on Saturday, June 14, 2008. The theme for this year's campaign was 'help us find a cure one car at a time'.
"Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a devastating disease that affects too many children in Canada," said Mercanti. "We're inspired by the families who battle against CF every day."
All of the money raised at the event will go to support the CCFF as well as local sports teams and community groups. The monies raised for the Foundation will be directed toward research and treatment. In 2008, the CCFF will fund more than 50 research projects that are exploring all aspects of the CF puzzle, including research into lung transplantation.
"CARSTAR has been a wonderful, generous donor for more than 10 years," said Julie Cookson, Chief Operating Officer of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. "We accept this generous contribution from the 'Soaps it Up' campaign and thank the CARSTAR network of franchisees for their continued support of the Foundation and its research towards a cure or effective control for cystic fibrosis."
A multi-organ disease affecting primarily the lungs and the digestive system, CF is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians.
CARSTAR has been a dedicated supporter of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for several years, after it was discovered that the granddaughter of a CARSTAR franchisee was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
To date, CARSTAR Collision Repair Centres have helped raise over $1.5 million for the Foundation.
About CARSTAR Automotive Canada
With over 300 locations across North America, CARSTAR is the leader in the automotive collision repair industry. Founded in Hamilton, Ontario, CARSTAR Automotive Canada has grown from eight to over 125 locations in 10 provinces in just 13 years. CARSTAR repairs approximately 1 in 20 vehicles in Canada – 6,000 vehicles per month – with high rates of customer satisfaction. For more information about CARSTAR, please visit www.carstar.ca.
About the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is a Canada-wide health charity, with 50 volunteer chapters that fund CF research and care. In 2008, the Foundation is supporting more than 50 research projects, which are exploring all aspects of the CF puzzle, from investigating new methods of fighting infection and inflammation in the lungs, to finding new therapies that target the basic defect at a cellular level. For more information, visit www.cysticfibrosis.ca.
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