MHS Football Program’s benefit car wash nets over $1,000 for Maricopa boy

The Maricopa High School Football Program, with the help of the Ram cheerleading squad, held a benefit car wash for seven-year-old Maricopa resident Zachary Schumann at Ramsey’s American Grill last Saturday.

Steady rain, dark clouds and wet streets caused Maricopa Football Booster Club President Shawn Barnacle to wonder if “we might have to postpone the car wash until next weekend.”

Cheer coach Shay Charles and her cheer squad made signs to promote the benefit for Zachary. Once the signs were completed, a handful of cheerleaders and football players hit the main intersections.

When the sun broke through the clouds about 7:45 a.m., cars started pulling in one after another to get a wash job in return for a donation earmarked for Zachary, who has spent months receiving medical treatments for diffuse anaplastic Wilms tumor.

Football players and cheerleaders washed two Maricopa Police Department cruisers, a black H2 Hummer, a Mercedes, a Jaguar, a Honda Accord, a Jetta, a red Blazer and many more vehicles.

Mike Chance of Impact Windshield, who didn’t even want his truck washed, was the big donor of the day with a check for $50. One donor included money her son had in his pants pocket when he passed away recently.

The football players and cheers ran short on supplies and towels. Auto Zone donated buckets, glass cleaner, tire cleaner and soap for the event. Tom Dugan from NAPA Auto Parts donated buckets and soap.

The seven-hour benefit car wash ended at 3 p.m. The football program’s goal was $1,000. They made $1,087.12, thanks to community support for the Schumann family.

Photos by Eddie Garcia