By LAURA ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
The power washers were going full blast on Saturday, July 6th in the Overton Park. as volunteers washed cars to raise money for a local family.
Approximately 65 cars were washed and hand dried on a hot July morning. As drivers began to roll in before the 7 a.m. start time, runners greeted them with a donut and bottle of water. Later at around 9:30 a.m. the hot dogs and hamburgers were ready.
Donations for the car wash fundraiser were gladly accepted in whatever amount the car owners felt appropriate. Overton resident Rosemary Freeman, for whom the event was held, was even able to be there for a time.
Freeman has an inoperable cancerous spinal tumor. Over the past year, she has undergone extensive medical treatment, including a 133-day hospital stay, which has strained her family’s finances.
At Saturday’s event, Rosemary wheeled around in her wheelchair speaking to volunteers and meeting some of the people who showed up to support her.
The line of cars to be washed remained constant throughout the morning.
“I am truly amazed at how many people are here,” Freeman said, “Especially on a holiday weekend!”
One woman who donated at the event was asked if she knew Rosemary. She said no. But she said she had a couple of family members who passed away from cancer and she wanted to help where she could.
Another gentleman had read the article in last week’s edition of the Progress and had travelled from Mesquite to participate.
One more patron said that his van needed to be washed. He heard about this event and thought it was a no-brainer to get it done at the park where he could also help someone in need.
Teri Smith of Logandale brought her car, donated money, had it washed, then came back again with a different vehicle. She wanted to give even more money for the second vehicle. When told she didn’t have to do that, she insisted, saying, “They did such an awesome job on my first car, that I had to bring another one!”
Event organizer Joe Gonzalez said that he was honored to do the Freeman family a service. “I would do it all again,” he said. “We are supposed to take care of each other, and help if we can.”
Gonzalez provided two power washers and even drove to Las Vegas late Friday night to fill up a couple of 300 gallon tanks with special ‘spot-free’ water.
Leah Bush was one of the many volunteers at the event. “It was great to get together to help Rosemary,” she said. “She has had a tough road and I’ve wanted to know how to help. This gave me an opportunity to help ease the burdens of this sweet family.”
“Everyone worked so hard!” Bush explained. “Even though there were a lot of people out of town for the holiday weekend, we had some great support from the community.”
At one point on Saturday at around noon, the line of cars stretched all the way down Virginia Street from the park to Moapa Valley Boulevard. The volunteers worked hard to keep the cars moving through.
By about 1:30 p.m. it was time to call it a day. Over $3500 was raised in the effort.
Rosemary Freeman and her family expressed gratitude to all who helped in any way to make the event possible.
“I am overwhelmed and overjoyed at the support and generosity of the people in this great Valley!” Freeman said. “My entire family feels the outpouring of love from each of you.”
Special thanks goes to Joe and Stacey Gonzalez with their family, Logandale Storage & U-Haul, Ace Hardware, Town & Country Auto, JustServe, Lin’s, the small army of volunteers and of course everyone who donated.
Those who could not attend but would still like to donate to the Freeman family, can contribute to a special America First Credit Union account under the name of ‘Rosemary Freeman Charitable Account’, #9111139.
