Car wash helps waterlogged city
It is true; raising over $3,000 for Hurricane Katrina victims after three days of planning is exciting.
But for many, it was not just exciting—it was personal. College students greeted shoppers at Wal-Mart in Franklin, Tenn., Sunday morning, Sept. 4. “All donations go to Red Cross hurricane relief!” “Help out your fellow man!” Some shoppers simply walked through the gates, avoiding eye contact or offering a quick reply. Others stopped to ask questions. Cars, directed by vocal students with signs, drove to the edge of the parking lot off of Mallory Lane where more than two dozen volunteers rinsed, washed and dried in shifts.
About half a dozen of the volunteers were from areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Most of the students were from Belmont University, but Vanderbilt University made a showing as well. Gunner Goodlad, a sophomore psychology major from New Orleans, was among the six friends who organized the event. After his family safely evacuated, Goodlad was left to guess what occupied his home. He felt an urge to do something. “I was like sitting around. The city [was] underwater. I was going to do something by myself, [but then] I asked if anyone wanted to help me.” On August 30, Goodlad posted the following on his Web site—in all caps. “...I WANT TO START SOME KIND OF RED CROSS RELIEF FUND AT BELMONT BECAUSE GOD KNOWS WE NEED IT. IS IT WORTH IT? DOES ANYONE WANT TO HELP? DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT TO DO? I’VE NEVER TRIED TO HELP SAVE A CITY BEFORE...DO YOU THINK ANYONE CARES? PLEASE LEAVE IMPUT I GUESS...” The response was overwhelming Goodlad said. He received over a dozen encouraging comments. Libby Hall suggested a car wash and the idea stuck. Mat Coxey, Sarah Deane, Gunner Goodlad, Libby Hall, Jessie Rumph and Stephanie Washburn committed themselves to the project. In three days, they organized everything. They found the location at Wal-Mart. They found a sponsor so they could offer convocation credit. They got supplies donated from Lowe’s. They enlisted volunteers—in person and via the internet. Then on the day of, they were the first to get their hands wet.
“During the whole storm, [Goodlad] would keep us updated on his Web site, almost hourly about what was happening...” said Libby Hall, a junior music business major from Henderson, Ky. “[Goodlad] kept telling us that his house was underwater, and we wanted to help,” Hall said. Geoff Elkins, a junior music business and philosophy major from New Orleans, learned about the car wash from Goodlad. Elkins in turn, recruited Zach Ervin, a member of the Belmont intramural sports team, the Sexy Decoys. “[Elkins] stopped by my dorm room and told me that [Goodlad] was putting this car wash together and asked if I could get the Decoys involved. I didn’t expect it to be as huge of a success as it was, but it was an event that is nearly impossible to say no to,” said Ervin, junior music business major from Bellingham, Wash. Ervin e-mailed his whole team. “ I know [Elkins] would do the same thing if it had been me coming to him for help,” Ervin said.
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All Writing > Non Fiction > Car wash helps waterlogged city
Elkins was grateful for the support. “This means more than they probably even know,” Elkins said.
“[It’s been] depressing hearing stories about what people have lost...It’s been a hard week for me and to see this—it’s heartwarming...I want Belmont students to realize what’s going on. Basically New Orleans right now is a Third World country.” Lindsey Wells, who went to the same high school as Elkins, also brought friends to the car wash and has felt the support of the Belmont community. Wells was invited, along with other students from New Orleans, to a facility member’s house for gumbo, to make her feel more at home. “I heard about the hurricane and I didn’t think much of it, because they happen all the time,” said Wells, a sophomore commercial voice and music education major. “But then a friend called me crying.” “[My friend’s] brother was a police officer and he had to stay; and my family told me they were evacuating and then I realized how serious the situation was.”
“I watched news 24/7. We all knew this might happen. We all watched our biggest fear come true,” Wells said. Mana Shahgoli also watched the TV coverage. “I came out because I saw the images on TV and then I heard about [Elkins’] story, so I decided I would definitely come and give up my Sunday for it, because it’s worth it,” said Shahgoli, a sophomore international business major originally from Tehran, Iran. Shahgoli said she didn’t have the money to give, but she had the time. More than $3,000 trickled in. The clump of cash became thicker and thicker as more and more cars visited the lot. One man gave $4. One supporter wrote a check for $1,000. It all added it up. When progress was visible, people were encouraged. At one point, volunteers welcomed a minibus with a brief cheer. The volunteers focused on their new task. Once clean, the white and shinning minibus honked as it rolled from the wet parking lot. Goodlad was initially worried about attendance, but soon was taken aback. “I am so blessed for my group of friends and the Belmont community. It is unbelievable how they have rallied behind me,” Goodlad said. Water from the hoses in a Wal-Mart parking lot has contributed to restoring homes left in ruins by Hurricane Katrina, but Goodlad doesn’t think the job is done. Donate money; be there for someone—anything you can, Goodlad said. “It’s going to take time to rebuild. Don’t give up because our car wash is over. There is still water in New Orleans.” “Don’t give up because our car wash is over. There is still water in New Orleans.”
This article first published in the Belmont Vision on Sept. 14, 2005. Republished with permission. All photos and video copyright by Nathan T. Baker.
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