This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Marina del Rey's "Car Wash For Crayons" Cash & Supply Drive DATES CHANGED!

MARINA DEL REY TOYOTA'S NEW TRADE-IN
OFFER: A CAR WASH FOR A BOX OF CRAYONS NOW EXTENDED THROUGH HALLOWEEN!

Now through October 31, 2013, Marina del Rey Toyota is launching its first annual “Car Wash For Crayons” Cash & Supply Drive to benefit Beethoven Street Elementary School. Anyone who donates needed items and/or cash in person or online at Fundly.com will receive a gift card for a free car wash at Marina del Rey Toyota regardless of what kind of car they drive.

“Car Wash For Crayons” will culminate in a pre-Halloween bash at Marina Del Rey Toyota on October 29th at 10:30am. Join Marina del Rey Toyota, and 56 Beethoven Street Elementary students, their teachers, principal and parents as we kick off Halloween a little early. There'll be drawings for prizes, a presentation of donations to the school, Trick or Treat safety tips and more!

MORE: Marina del Rey Toyota has partnered with Beethoven Street Elementary School's PTA fundraising organization, “Friends of Beethoven,” to collect critically needed school supplies, and to gather donations for costs associated with the school, teacher's assistants, and before and after school programs. 

Find out what's happening in Marina Del Reywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Because of
state education budget cuts and tough economic times in students'

homes, many teachers at this local K-5 school have been purchasing 
composition notebooks, crayons, pencils and more out of their own 
paychecks to keep kids from going without. 

Marina del Rey is seen by most as an upscale community. Most locals have no idea the degree to which the Los Angeles Unified schools in the area are struggling. In fact, Beethoven Street Elementary School was recently forced to conduct a toilet paper drive just to keep this basic item in supply for the school year. 

Find out what's happening in Marina Del Reywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kevin Ray, General Manager of Marina del Rey Toyota, is determined that this year will be different, “It's heartbreaking to know that a school in this community is having to struggle like this. You can't be made aware of a situation like this and not feel compelled to do whatever you can.”

Marina del Rey Toyota has two “Car Wash For Crayons” donation stations set up in the newly remodeled dealership: one in the service area and one in the front showroom. Make a donation of desperately needed items (see below for a complete list) to be eligible for a gift card for a free car wash before October 31. 

Donations can be made online as well at http://www.fundly.com/MDRToyotaCarWashForCrayons. After a donation is made online, Marina del Rey Toyota will send a thank you email (if an email address is provided). Simply bring the email into the dealership to claim a gift card for a free car wash.

Desperately needed items include:  Boxes of Crayola Crayons, Crayola Markers, Avery shipping labels, copy paper, tissues, baby wipes, number 2 pencils, pencil sharpeners, highlighters – all colors, children’s scissors, Sharpie markers, Avery glue sticks, Avery glue bottles, wide-ruled composition notebooks, and anti-bacterial hand sanitizer.

About Marina del Rey Toyota: 

Marina del Rey Toyota opened for business in 1982 and the current owners, the NOARUS Auto Group, have run and operated the dealership since 1995. The owners continue to be a strong and loyal patron of local artists and community enrichment. Its large mural of the underwater world next door to the Marina is a statement of depth – there's more to its vision than selling and servicing cars. Marina del Rey Toyota is committed to exceptional care, to being a resource for children and teens through school donations and activities, and to the environment with its hybrid vehicles and Toyota Care. Toyota Care, which comes standard with a new vehicle purchase, ensures that vehicles perform to the highest standards, making them more fuel efficient and safer to drive. More information visit: MarinadelReyToyota.com

About Friends of Beethoven:  

Established in 1993, the Friends of Beethoven Booster Club is an organization of parent volunteers whose purpose is to raise money to enhance the students’ learning environment at Beethoven Street Elementary School.  The Booster Club is also responsible for the ongoing cultivation of community partnerships with local businesses, community-based organizations, and government organizations that will contribute to and support Beethoven Street Elementary School. More information: FriendsofBeethoven.org.

Questions/info: Kellie Sue Peters, It Factory Media 310.497.4240 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?