Miller Brothers Collect $1,000 Through Car Wash Fundraiser

By JENNIKA INGRAM | Reporter 

Castellammare residents Sammy and Max Miller hosted a car wash on Saturday, May 9, to raise money for a local charity. Over the course of five hours, the teens raised $1,011—with all proceeds going to Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services.

“We are trying to find a way to do our part in giving back to the victims of COVID-19,” Sammy, 18, and Max, 17, posted in a Castellammare Mesa News Flash ahead of the event. “It is important for us to find a safe way to bring our neighborhood together while offering a valuable service.”

To promote the local car wash, the Millers put out 150 flyers in mailboxes, individually going door to door, in addition to a Castellammare Mesa News Flash email sent out to the community.

The exterior-only car wash, which was completed outside of their home, took approximately 20 minutes for a suggested donation of $20.

The teens were careful about social distancing and put out cones to guide the lineup of cars. Some people called ahead for reservations. The teens honored their reservations and made everyone feel welcome, their mother, Vicky, explained to the Palisadian-Post.

“Their work ethic really kicked in and shined,” Vicky witnessed. “Although it was a family affair, the boys took the lead.”

“We took a backseat,” she added, referring to herself and their father, Rich.

Vicky added that neighbors were very generous, positive and supportive, with several suggesting they do this every week.

The brothers grew up in the Palisades. Sammy is graduating from Windward School and Max is in eleventh grade at Viewpoint School.

The week before, they had been helping neighbors wash their cars as a gesture and they came up with the idea for the car wash, their mother shared.

All the proceeds from the car wash are being donated to Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, a century-old organization in the midst of its own Coronavirus Emergency Fundraising Campaign to ensure that no Vista child or family goes hungry.

For more information, visit vistadelmar.org.