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Copious cars cleaned for charitable cause

Proceeds benefit Thomas J. Carnevali Jr. Foundation

By Lisa Merolla, Staff Writer
   The scene at Superior Chevrolet last weekend was highly emotional, filled with tears, laughter and a lot of clean cars.
   About 30 volunteers spent their Saturday afternoon running a car wash to benefit the Thomas J. Carnevali Jr. Foundation. The foundation was named after a 20-year-old Lawrence resident who died earlier this month in a one-car accident on Interstate 95 that also claimed the life of his girlfriend, 18-year-old Briana Gaum, of Upper Freehold, and seriously injured his 16-year-old brother, Michael.
   The car wash raised more than $3,500 for the foundation, said Superior Chevrolet owner Glen West, who arranged the benefit. Although he did not know the Carnevalis personally, Mr. West said he wanted to show his support for the family.
   ”Most of us have kids,” he said. “It could have been any one of us. Any one of our children could have been in that car. The car wash was a small token back to the parents, saying we’re praying for you.”
   Mr. West, who also owns Patterson Chevrolet in Hamilton Township, provided the space for the benefit at his Route 1 dealership in Lawrence, and donated soap and water buckets. The businesses also contributed food for a barbecue and brought a DJ to the event.
   The benefit attracted a steady stream of cars throughout the afternoon. Meanwhile, the mood at Superior Chevrolet varied from sad to joyous.
   ”It was very emotional,” said Ginny Bigley, a member of the Lawrence Township Board of Education who helped organize the event. “It really was. One moment, you’d be crying. The next, everyone was throwing water on each other. It was very emotional, hard to put in words. There was a lot of healing. A lot of the kids needed it.”
   Many volunteers were Mr. Carnevali’s relatives, friends and teammates from the Lawrence High baseball team. Michael attended as well, coming straight from the hospital to the benefit, Mr. West said. Briana’s parents also came to help with the car washing.
   ”Everyone came here for one purpose, to show their respect and friendship for him,” Mr. West said. “There was a lot of teary eyes there. Everyone cried, but kept washing cars and laughing.”
   In between washings, volunteers feasted on hamburgers and hot dogs barbecued by Mercer County police officers. They also listened to music and made use of the popcorn machine provided by Mr. West.
   The money raised at the car wash all went to the foundation, which will provide scholarships for students pursuing a career in art, an interest of Mr. Carnevali’s, Ms. Bigley said. The foundation also is interested in helping people with brain injuries.
   Mr. West said he would like to make the car wash an annual tradition. He hopes to make next year’s benefit even larger, adding games and prizes to the event.
   ”I would like to see this continue on,” he said. “It should just keep coming. Each year we should try to raise more money for the scholarships.”
   ”It really is about community and being there for a family that just went through a horrible tragedy,” Ms. Bigley said.
   People who missed the car wash can still donate, Ms. Bigley said. Contributions can be sent to the Thomas J. Carnevali Jr. Foundation, c/o Mario and Donna Giudici, 116 Jamesburg-Half Acre Road, Monroe Township, NJ 08831.