NAWILIWILI — The associates’ parking lot at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club was converted into a mass-production car wash as Kalapaki resort associates joined those from other Marriott operations in the state to help raise funds for the
NAWILIWILI — The associates’ parking lot at the Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club was converted into a mass-production car wash as Kalapaki resort associates joined those from other Marriott operations in the state to help raise funds for the Children’s Miracle Network.
“This is the first time we’re doing it, but it looks like it’s going pretty good,” said Jolene Ogle of the resort’s Human Resources department. “We had a short break, but that ended real soon.”
The parking lot was divided into three areas, where motorists could drive up and check in their vehicles for washing.
In the center of the three phases was the wash area, where the bulk of the stream of Marriott employees and volunteers worked to rinse, wash, and again rinse vehicles.
These cleaned vehicles were then moved to the drying area for chamoising before the motorists drove off in clean cars.
While waiting, motorists could additionally help the fund-raising effort by purchasing special “Scrub-a-Dub” T-shirts and tank tops that were also worn by the washers.
Additionally, a light lunch of hamburgers, hot dogs, and snacks and beverages was available, with all the proceeds going to help the Business Council Scrub-a-Dub fundraiser challenge.
Ogle explained that this was a Hawai‘i Marriott hotels challenge, and all of the Marriott properties statewide were involved in the effort.
However, they noted that Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club associates will probably do their washing on another day, and, as far as they could ascertain, the Courtyard in Waipouli associates were not washing cars on Saturday.
“Looks like the Kaua‘i Marriott will be the main thrust,” Ogle said with pride as the steady stream of cars moved through the system.
Lining the area from the receiving to the drying area, a system of PVC piping was staked to the grass area. Ogle pointed out that everything falls into place because they have a great engineering and grounds crew whose members rigged up the makeshift arrangement to maximize the car-washing operation.
“Our goal is to raise $10,000,” Ogle explained. “And, I guess if we raise the most money, then we’ll get a special trophy or plaque.”
Tickets for the car wash ran at $5 apiece, but no one knew for sure just how many tickets were sold. A flier to employees asked that each associate sell at least four tickets, but based on the steady flow of cars through the event, it appeared that there were a lot of tickets sold.
Ogle explained that associates of the Kalapaki property hold several events during the year, some of which are event-specific, like the Saturday car wash.
“This one is only for the Children’s Miracle Network. Others, like the ‘Christmas in July’ craft fair, raise funds to put in a general fund that benefits several charities,” she said.
“One of these is the Children’s Miracle Network, so if we fall short on the car wash, we have additional resources,” she explained.
Ogle also pointed out that volunteers and employees were stretched thin due to their participation in the Kauai Economic Opportunity, Inc. 40th-anniversary function Saturday night.
Lynne Nagaoka, HR director, was one of the people doing double duty, as she was helping at the car wash before adjourning to check with Chris Tang, director of event planning, on any loose ends for the KEO celebration.
The Children’s Miracle Network is an international nonprofit organization whose members and volunteers are dedicated to helping children by raising funds and generating awareness for 170 children’s hospitals throughout North America and the Pacific Basin. Each year, these non-profit facilities treat more than 14-million children.
In Hawai‘i, the Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children has been an affiliate hospital of the Children’s Miracle Network since its inception in 1983. Since then, Kapi‘olani Children’s Miracle Network volunteers have raised over $5 million for the children of Hawai‘i.
All gifts raised in Hawai‘i stay in Hawai‘i to help island keiki.
