Kansas City, KS - Carstar has been raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation since June with its nationwide Super'Stang Muscle Tour and its re-creation of a legendary 1967 Shelby Mustang. On Sept. 23, during the Carstar Marketing Conference, the fundraising effort got an unexpected $2,000 boost when Director of Franchise Sales Paul Evans agreed to be dunked while wearing his favorite Joseph Abboud suit.
The Sept. 24 Carstar National Marketing Conference ended with a game of softball at the Community America Ballpark, the home of the Kansas City T-Bones.
"A dunk tank was on hand to help raise money for the tour," Evans said. "There were a lot of people there with swim trunks and goggles, but I was wearing my favorite suit and hadn't intended on going to the softball game. A friend of mine offered $500 for me to take the dunk tank's seat. Chief Executive Officer Dick Cross recognized the suit and said that it would cost at least $2,000 to get me in that tank.
"Well, needless to say they raised $2,000 in about 8.5 seconds," Evans said. "And sure enough, our communication vice president's son hit it on the first throw. We were able to raise about $700 from other dunks, and even the snack bar staff donated its tips."
The $2,700 raised at the event will be added to the $155,407 already raised by the tour and the local star program.
"I am proud to be working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation," Evans said. "My brother was granted a wish when he was a child, and he took our entire family to Disney World, so I personally know how important this charity is to kids."
The Carstar Super'Stang, created by Carstar and the country's leading restorer of Shelby Mustangs, Jeff Yergovich, is the centerpiece of a nationwide, 18-month fundraising tour to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The prototype of the legendary 1967 Ford Mustang will be sold at auction in January 2009 to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
The Carstar National Marketing Conference in Overland Park, Kan., was attended by more than 90 Carstar franchises from across America. Honors for marketing excellence were awarded in several categories. The Northwest Indiana Business Group won business group of the year. The group includes four stores: Blake's Carstar, Idzik Carstar, Liss Carstar, and Performance Carstar.
For more information, photos or a schedule of tour events, visit the Carstar Super'Stang Muscle Tour on the Web at www.carstarsuperstang.com .
