Car wash fundraiser held for Parker family

Several Fallbrook High School students, along with siblings and parents, participated in a July 15 car wash in the Happy Jug parking lot to raise money for Fallbrook High School baseball coach Matt Parker, whose wife and daughter were killed in an automobile accident June 28.

Seven Fallbrook High School girls were involved in the organizational leadership, with the lead organizational roles attributed to Britney DeStefani and Kayla Alonso. Eight parents joined between 20 and 25 students and siblings of both genders at the car wash.

In five hours the car wash raised approximately $1,600. “It turned out very well,” DeStefani said.

The organizers noted that the car wash showed support for Parker and his family as well as provided Parker with money to cover expenses. “It was a really, really big success. It was really awesome having everyone come together,” Alonso said.

The organizers had formed an informal Bible study group. “Our plan was to do different outreaches in town,” Alonso said.

The Bible study group is not formally associated with Fallbrook Presbyterian Church, although to some extent it is an outreach of that worship facility. “We just talk about what we can do to outreach to other people,” DeStefani said.

The decision to form an outreach group was made during a church trip to Shaver Lake. The group meets on Monday nights.

The Fallbrook High School students learned of the deaths of Kari and Keira Parker on July 1 while they were at Shaver Lake. “We really wanted to do something,” DeStefani said.

The Bible study group met the following day. Britney DeStefani, Alonso, Haley DeStefani, Holly Herter, Lindsey Ice, Stephanie Jansen, and Hailey Van Wechel developed the idea for a car wash, and the plan was carried out 13 days later.

Parents of the organizers purchased supplies, drove their daughters to stores to purchase supplies, and provided equipment. “It was kind of a group effort with all the supplies and stuff,” Alonso said.

The students worked with Fallbrook High School athletic director John Hayek on the distribution of the proceeds, which were turned into a cashier’s check for Parker. The Happy Jug parking lot allowed for visibility for the fundraiser.

Other than a few signs, notice was mostly by word of mouth. Britney DeStefani missed church the morning of the car wash to help set up but was informed that the fundraiser was announced during the Fallbrook Presbyterian Church service. She was also informed that Christ the King Lutheran Church made an announcement during morning worship.

The car wash began at noon. A $5 donation was asked, although most contributors gave larger amounts. “Everyone just showed up and we made $1,600, so it was awesome,” Alonso said.

“It was amazing. We were washing cars the whole time,” DeStefani said. “It was very much of a success.”

By 3 p.m. the car wash had already raised $1,000. The fundraiser ended at approximately 5 p.m.

“Everybody just displayed a real teamwork and everybody was really excited the whole time,” Alonso said.

Two of Parker’s baseball players, Clark Murphy and Kevin Vandivort, participated in the car wash.

“It was very encouraging. It really went over well,” Alonso said.