‘Sparkling Image’ KEEPs its promise
October 19, 2011 by sttalbot
Filed under KCSOS Spotlight
Local students Cameron Polleck, Levi Polleck and Nathan Jones helped Sparkling Image Regional Manager Joe Randle replace last year's contribution to Camp KEEP with an even larger donation this year.
Thanks to a lot of suds, elbow grease and the generosity of Sparkling Image Car Wash in Bakersfield, some children, who could not afford it, may be able to attend Camp KEEP (Kern Environmental Education Program). The non-profit KEEP Foundation received a check from Sparkling Image Operations Manager Peter Nani in the amount of $8,369.39 at a ceremony held at the car wash site located at 2301 H Street on Oct. 18. It represents half of the proceeds raised on any full service car wash at all seven of the Sparkling Image locations in Bakersfield on Sept. 23.
Sparkling Image staff joined local children, members of the KEEP Foundation and representatives from the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office to celebrate the car wash's latest donation of $8,369.39 to Camp KEEP.
This is the second year that Sparkling Image has donated car wash receipts to KEEP, topping last year’s total of $6,758.99.
While at KEEP Ocean, students eat all their meals in a huge geodesic dome that also serves as the main meeting room for announcements and discussions.
“We got started because all of our charities revolve around children,” Nani said. “Camp KEEP’s been around since 1969 and provides great educational experiences. We saw with the economy some of the schools were having to cancel their participation in it. Our business is conducted in an environmentally-friendly way, and the education the kids get at KEEP we think goes hand-in-hand with our environmental philosophy. It is just a very worthwhile charity in which to contribute.”
Traveling to destinations, such as the nearby tidal pools, provides scenic perspectives for the student campers.
KEEP, operated by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and located on the central California coast at Montana de Oro State Park and Cambria Pines, offers a five-day residential environmental education program for Kern County’s fifth and sixth grade students. It serves over 7,000 students each year. Money raised through the car washes and other fund-raising activities by the KEEP Foundation provides “camperships” allowing students to attend who could not otherwise afford do so.
Discoveries turn out to be fun and unexpected for the campers such as finding a starfish in one of KEEP Ocean's many tidal pools.
Kathy Jackson, a 6th grade teacher at Stockdale Elementary and a KEEP Foundation board member, was present at the check presentation. She said she realizes the importance of what Sparkling Image did.
“It was much easier for families to afford sending their children to KEEP 26 years ago, when I started teaching,” Jackson said. “Now, with the economy it’s getting so hard. Having Sparkling Image step up to help us is fantastic.”
Also present were some children who were glad to hear the news because they plan on attending KEEP in the future. Cameron Polleck’s brother Levi attended in the past and told her what to expect.
“I heard there’s lots of wildlife,” Cameron Polleck said. “My brother saw bobcats, deer, snakes, all sorts of interesting creatures. I just can’t wait for it to be my turn. So, I can see all those animals.”
Stockdale Elementary 6th-grader Nathan Jones is also anxious but for another reason.
“If we don’t learn about the environment, how are we supposed to protect it,” Jones said. “If we don’t learn how to recycle, it’s just going to turn into a big wad of trash floating around in space. There’s no reason to let our Earth turn into that. We need the plants and the animals to survive. The other reason I want to go? I heard the food’s great.”
Sparkling Image Car Wash has facilities at the following locations:
920 34th Street
7901 Rosedale Highway
5201 Stockdale Highway
2301 H Street
1701 Stine Road
3951 Wible Road
7991 White Lane
