More than 200 stores in Canada and U.S. to Soap it Up on June 20 to help those in need and earn worldwide bragging rights. Hamilton, ON June 17th 2009 CARSTAR Automotive Canada announced the companys intention to set a Guinness World Record by washing more than 4,000 cars in eight hours at multiple venues on Saturday, June 20, 2009. The North America-wide attempt will take place at CARSTAR locations across Canada and the United States during the CARSTAR Soaps it Up National Car Wash Day. A Guinness World Records® official will be present to validate the record if achieved. This years Guinness World Record attempt brings an exciting twist to CARSTAR Canadas sixth annual fundraising event in support of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CCFF) and local charities across Canada. Over the past six years in Canada, CARSTAR Soaps it Up has gained momentum from coast to coast. This year marks a major milestone as CARSTAR in the U.S. kicks off its own Soaps It Up National Car Wash Day. Working as a cross-border team, CARSTAR is poised to make it into the history books with this years car wash. With the support of our customers, employees and partners, CARSTAR Soaps it Up has become the largest and most important fundraising event for the Canadian CARSTAR network and were thrilled to turn it up several notches this year and partner with CARSTAR U.S. to make the record books in our first-ever cross-border car wash, said Sam Mercanti, President and CEO of CARSTAR Automotive Canada. Were calling on Canadians to purchase tickets for the June 20th CARSTAR Soaps it Up car wash in their community and show our CARSTAR U.S. neighbours that when we come together, whether to raise money, set a world record or both, Canadians will work hard to get the job done! A total of 200 CARSTAR Collision Repair Centres from both countries 90 in Canada will participate to help raise money for various charities. In Canada, half the funds raised will go to the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, while in the United States half will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Participating car wash locations in Canada and the U.S. will then donate the remaining funds raised at their events to local charity groups. Were thrilled to expand our partnership with Make-A-Wish in 2009 with the Soaps It Up National Car Wash and work with our Canadian team to set the Guinness World Record for the worlds largest car wash, said Dick Cross, Chairman and CEO of CARSTAR Collision Services in the United States. Our Canadian CARSTAR team has set a great foundation over the past five years and were excited to build upon this for an incredible fundraising event to give back to all of the communities where we do business. Tickets for CARSTAR Soaps it Up are $5 and are available at participating CARSTAR locations across the country or at www.carstar.ca. CARSTAR Automotive Canada has been a proud supporter of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation since it was discovered that a granddaughter of a franchisee was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. In the last nine years, more than $1.6 million has been raised by CARSTAR Collision Repair Centres to help find a cure. We are very grateful for the continued and generous support of the CARSTAR network, said Cathleen Morrison, CEO of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. We think that this years world record attempt will bring added awareness and funds to the fight against cystic fibrosis, and we wish CARSTAR the best of luck. Cystic fibrosis is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting young Canadians. A devastating disease, cystic fibrosis attacks primarily the lungs and the digestive system and requires a daily regime of intensive physical therapy and medications. There are approximately 3,500 people across Canada who have with cystic fibrosis. Money raised for the Foundation will support important cystic fibrosis research and care. In 2009, the CCFF will fund more than 50 research projects that explore all aspects of the cystic fibrosis puzzle, including research into lung transplantation.
