UNION TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Hot and sunny weather formed the perfect backdrop for a car wash on Saturday morning.
For Jake Jackson, Dan Ottke and coach Dave Purlsey of the Family Nest Falcons, washing cars is more than just a parking lot fundraiser for their basketball team. It’s the cleanest wash and rinse in town.
Dan Ottke of the Clermont County Board of Developmental Disabilities beams with pride as the car wash gets underway.
“This has been one of the most awesome events that we've had for the past couple years," Ottkee said. "These guys have really just been grassroots in terms of getting some awesome opportunities for their peers, to be able to support each other and do some great things with basketball.”
This is the second year the team has hosted this car wash fundraiser to buy uniforms and supplies for their developmentally disabled basketball league. Coach David Purlsey said it has already been a slam dunk.
“Last year we raised $1,651.51,” Purlsey said.
With friends and family cheering them on, these Falcons, like Jake Jackson, are already winners.
"It is great, and I love it," Jackson said. "And I like playing basketball.”
A long line of cars had the fundraiser well on its way to success as soon as the Eastgate Mall parking lot opened. But these teammates say winning isn’t always measured in points on a scoreboard or dollars and cents.
“They do not know how to quit," Purlsey said. "They joke around with each other, but they love each other."
Dan Ottke says that fundraisers like this help to provide a safe space for all of the attendees of their league to play sports and make friends throughout the Greater Cincinnati region.
"Clermont County has been so supportive of our mission and vision for what these guys mean," Otttke said. "Obviously, to be able to support this particular group, but really, just supporting people in general. It's just been awesome, so I can't say enough in terms of what this means and the opportunity to be out here today to see the energy for it."
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