One hundred percent of proceeds from the opening day sales will go to Water For Good. (photos by Alyssa Richardson)

WARSAW — With old man winter currently quiet in Kosciusko County, drivers throughout the community are taking advantage of the snow free roads and weather to clean long overdue cars. Those looking to travel to the car wash can couple their desire for a clean car with the ability to provide clean drinking water to those in need.

Clearwater Car Wash, which opened today in Warsaw, is offering more than just a clean car. Instead, CEO Brian Catron is looking to make a splash both locally and globally by donating all proceeds from the business’s opening day sales to Water For Good, a Warsaw-based not-for-profit dedicated to solving the water crisis in the Central African Republic. 

According to Jay Hocking, director of communications and son of WFG Founder Jim Hocking, for every $5 raised a year of clean water for a person in the Central African Republic, one of the world’s most neglected countries, can be provided. Hocking noted the organization strives to provide access to pumps and clean water, eliminating hours of walking miles for dirty, unsanitary and dangerous drinking water from rivers, streams, bonds or seep holes.

Water for Good, established in 2004 by Warsaw local Jim Hocking, is the largest water organization in the Central African Republic and provides reliable access to clean water for half a million people. Their well-drilling and water pump maintenance teams have continued to operate, despite the fact that the country has been a conflict zone since 2013.

Within 10 years of operation, the company drilled over 590 wells and has serviced over 900 wells. Hocking noted the time saved walking for water has allowed for communities to begin to flourish, with commerce, education and safety increased tremendously. In one village, Hocking stated money raised by residents through pumping water allowed them to maintain their well as well as build a school and hire a teacher.

The state of the art car wash, managed by Jordan Gillette, offers a variety of washes. From a $9 general car wash (which will nearly pay for two people in the CAR to have drinking water for a year) to higher quality premium washes that offer a variety of extras to drivers and give more opportunity to donate to the cause.