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Automobiles
Car Wash
This is an effective, practical service. We offer a car wash
every week in the summer. Have a professionally made banner or sign
that says "Totally Free Car Wash!" or "Free - No Kidding
- Car Wash!" Have a few people who are not shy, cheerfully yell
at cars driving by - "Free Car Wash!" Former cheerleaders
are great for this role! This outreach needs a good project manager
to organize volunteers, car flow and ensure a quality job.
Windshield
Washing
Some years ago when we started serving, this was one of our
first projects. We still do it just about every weekend. The materials
list is short and inexpensive: a good squeegee, a wiping rag, a connection
card, and a windshield cleaner (Don't use Windex style cleaner -
ask your car parts store what they recommend). If it's too hot (above
85°F) or too cold (below freezing), you might end up making a dirty
windshield even worse. If you are doing this at random in a parking
lot, don't wash high-end cars. Their owners are unlikely to see your
service as helpful. Car alarms? If you accidentally set one off, finish
cleaning, and move on. We've set off plenty. They will reset themselves
shortly.
Windshield
Washing at Self Serve Gas Stations
Secure permission from gas station manager. When customers
pull up for gas, wash their windshield.
Check
Oil and Fill
If you can find a sympathetic station owner, you can get
permission to offer service like they did in the good old days.
At the self-serve pump, ask if they would like to have their oil checked
and topped off. About the only caution: If you top off their too low
oil make sure you are using the same viscosity as they originally had.
And don't overfill – that can cause major engine problems.
Make sure you explain that you are not from the station but are Christians
showing God’s love in a practical way. Otherwise, customers will
assume you work for the station.
Single
Moms' Oil Change
This is a great stand-alone project for a Saturday morning
in the church parking lot. We provide this service strictly to single
moms, though not necessarily just those in our church. This will require
a team of folks with a knowledge of the basics. About the only variable
here is oil filter size. There are hundreds of sizes, so getting a sign
up before the event is vital. This will not work at a filling station.
The liability to the owner is unreasonable.
Washer
Fluid Fill
Most tend to use their windshield washers more in the winter,
but a refill project will work about any time of the year. This works
well at self-serve stations. The liquid is affordable – as little
as 79 cents a gallon.
A caution here: Make sure you are refilling the washer fluid tank (blue
liquid) and not the radiator overflow tank (green fluid). We've made
that mistake — $200 to repair.
Tire
Pressure Check
A tire pressure gauge is a small investment. Checking this
is easy for anyone.
Interior
Vacuuming
Locate at gas stations or shopping center parking lots. Set
up signs that explain what you're doing. Give a connection
card to those you help. I recommend you establish a designated communicator
to connect with drivers and explain why this is all taking place.
Interior
Window Cleaning
Which is dirtier, the inside or outside of your car windows?
Often the inside is worse. Set up a cleaning station similar to the
one above. Use paper towels to do the cleaning. If you want to get fancy,
have scented cards printed with your church logo and phone number to
hang in the car.
Bulb
Replacement
There are only a few common bulb types used in domestic and
foreign cars. Have an assortment of these available. Set up a station
in the corner of a shopping center parking lot. Set up a sign, "Free
Light bulb Exam and Replacement." With just a few basic tools (screwdrivers)
about anyone can pull this one off. Don't use powered screwdrivers —
they are more likely to break lens covers.
Windshield
Ice Scraping at Apartment Complexes
Scrape first, ask questions later. Place a connection
card on their clean windshield when done.
Windshield
Ice Scrapers
Have scrapers with your name imprinted on them, or a sticker
with your name on it. Scrapers last a year or less, so early in the
season most drivers need another one.
Retrieving
Cars Stuck in Snow
On heavy snow days, send out teams with four-wheel drive
trucks. With chains, pull the cars out. Carry pots of coffee and hot
chocolate to warm up those you help. A cell phone is helpful if you
need to call for reinforcements.
Car
Drying at Self-Serve Car Washes
Three people drying a car takes just a few minutes. On a
warm, sunny day water spots will appear if a car is not dried quickly
after a wash.
Windshield
Washing at Self-Serve Gas Stations
Just like the good old days. Use a quality squeegee and work
quickly. Give each customer a connection
card to remember your service.
Buy
Down Gas to Bargain Price
Instead of paying the dollar plus price, buy down the price
to a remarkable rate for a couple of hours and pay the difference to
the station owner. When local prices are $1.29 we put up signs advertising
a price of $.99. The total we spent for the two hours usually runs from
$400-500 per station. When customers come in, we give them a connection
card that briefly explains our project. Each time we've done this
outreach, we've gotten fantastic response.
Hand
Cleaning Towelettes at Gas Pumps
Pumping your own gas can get messy. Therefore, we distribute
towelettes with our name and phone number printed on them. When purchased
in quantity, these are as little as 1.5 cents per packet, including
two color printing.
           
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