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Schools

Car Wash Keeps The Music Playing

The Valero station on Putnam Pike hosted a car wash to benefit the Johnston High School music program on July 2.

The music department and gas station on Putnam Pike teamed up for a free car wash on July 2.

Originally scheduled two weeks ago, the event was moved because of inclement weather was moved up to July 2.

Johnston High School Music Director Ron Lamoureux explained that the owner of Valero gas station, Bassam Naiefah, contacted Mayor Joseph Polisena and wanted to host a fundraiser at the station, which Naifeh bought about four months ago.

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The mayor suggested the high school band, and helped promote the event with an announcement at town hall on June 27.

Racha Naiefeh, Bassam's wife, said the local police department will also benefit from the event.

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"A portion of the car wash donations will also be given to the Johnston police department," she explained.

Polisena and school Supt. Dr. Bernard DiLullo Jr. not only were on hand for the fundraising event — they also added their efforts by vacumming customers' cars.

Also lending a hand to the event by wiping down the cars was Town Council President Robert Russo (D-Dist. 4) and school committee members Joseph Rotella (Dist. 4) and Robert LaFazia (Dist 1). Town Councilman Ernest Pitochelli (I-Dist 2), was one of the first customers in the morning to get his car washed, and Councilman David Santilli (Dist. 3) was on hand to show his support for the event.

A number of students in the band were also at the event to show their support by holding signs to inform the drivers of the free car wash and wiping down the cars.

Junior Michael Huber, who plays the saxophone in the band, was selling discounted future car wash booklets. He explained that he and his bandmates are "passionate about what we do."

During the car wash, state Rep. Deborah Fellela (D-Dist. 43) presented Lamoureux with a $500 legislative grant for the JHS music department.

"The funds will be used to pay bills," said Lamoureux, who also credited the Music Association booster group with helping raise money over the last 20 years.

There are 70 students in the band program, and this past school year they traveled to Williamsburg Virginia to perform, Lamoureux explained.

"In 2012, the band will go to Hershey, Penn.," he added, "and in 2013, they will travel to Orlando, Fla."

Bassam Naiefeh said he plans to make the fundraising car wash an annual event.

"Once every June or July, we will be having a free car wash and collecting donations," said Naiefeh.

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