Volunteer Without Borders held their third Vehicles Without Borders car wash fundraiser in Carriage House Circle on Oct. 20 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This was their first car wash in collaboration with other organizations: Alpha Phi Omega and the Commuters Association. The Volunteer Without Borders board, as well as additional volunteers from Action Scholars, Alpha Phi Omega and the Commuters Association washed a total of eighteen cars. The price for each car was $5, and they raised a total of $402 from the cars and additional generous donations.
“It was wonderful to see the Drew community come together to support an important cause,” said Mika Bidiak (’27), co-president of Volunteer Without Borders. An event now held every semester, the fundraiser is incredibly important for the club in order to keep running their alternative break trips. Volunteer Without Borders’ alternative break trips provide immersive experiences for all students, as well as 45 experiential learning hours for Action Scholars. The mission of the club is to provide accessible alternative break trips for all Drew students, providing them with memorable volunteer experiences.
Like many other clubs, Volunteer Without Borders has faced budget cuts in recent years. So, fundraisers such as their Vehicles Without Borders car wash are vital to ensuring their alternative break trips stay accessible (and even happen at all). “The funds from the car wash will not only help cover costs for housing and transportation but also will allow us to continue providing scholarship opportunities,” said Bidiak.
Bidiak continued: “The amount of volunteers who came to help out, including Action Scholars, collaborating club members, and others, was heartwarming and goes to show how much this organization means to students. [We are] excited to continue planning and executing insightful and life changing trips for years to come!”
Volunteers closed the evening with hot chocolate and conversation while they cleaned up the supplies. “It [was] a fun time, and as a commuter I found its convenience very helpful and nice for the community,” said Emelyn Morales-Martinez (‘28). Morales-Martinez also said the event had perfect timing, as she was looking to get her car washed.
This article was a collaboration between Jaden Finn and Edgar Guzman. Jaden Finn is a sophomore majoring in environmental science and minoring in creative arts & technology. Edgar Guzman is a sophomore majoring in psychology and minoring in Spanish.
