UNION, NJ — The Children’s Specialized Golf Outing, August 15, at Suburban Golf Club, went off without a hitch, according to Car Wash Operators of New Jersey (CWONJ) President Mike Conte. But more importantly, he said, it was an event that raised money for an extremely worthy cause, The Children’s Specialized Hospital. This hospital is the nation’s leading provider of inpatient and outpatient care for children from birth to 21 years of age facing special health challenges — from chronic illnesses and complex physical disabilities like brain and spinal cord injuries, to developmental and behavioral issues like autism. Children’s has 12 New Jersey locations and treats more than 16,000 children annually from all over the country. “Our association has been raising money for Children’s since 2004, and to date we have raised $57,000 for them. We are very honored to have been able to do that,” said Conte. “This event means a great deal to our members.”

Children’s Community Engagement Coordinator Alexis D’Anton spoke on behalf of the hospital before introducing a family who has experienced the benefits of Children’s firsthand. Shanette Pereira, spoke from the heart about her family’s experience with Children’s after her son Khalil, suffered a traumatic head injury after the vehicle he was riding in flipped 15 times. After a year of therapy at the hospital, Khalil is now speaking and walking and has plans to attend a junior college to begin work on his degree. He aspires to be a nurse but his journey could not have been possible without the tireless efforts of the team who has worked with him for the last several years. “The story that Shanette shared with our members was poignant and heartbreaking,” said Conte. “It just drives home the importance of our event and the money we raise for the hospital.”

The association would like to acknowledge its vendor sponsors without whom the event could not happen:

Buffet Dinner Reception: Innovative Control System, ZEP Vehicle Care

Lunch on the Porch: Simoniz USA

Lunch Beverage: Olde Granddad, Service Champ

Cocktail Hour: Micrologic Associates

Beverage Cart: Optisure Risk Partners/The Alliance Group, Prime Lube

Goodie Bag: Service Champ

Hole In One: Birchwood Insurance Group, Northeast Carwasher magazine

Sponsor the Pro: Eastern Funding

Longest Drive: Advantage Contractors LLC, Fowler

Golf Carts: Rosey’s Tank Cleaning

Closest to the Pin: Circle Lubricants, Inc., Qual Chem, LLC

Raffle Prizes: Stoner

Golf Towels: ERC Wiping

Holes: Broad Street Car Wash, Butch’s Automatic Car Wash Inc., In Memory of Carolyn Coates, DRB Systems, Inc., ERC Wiping, Frank Millman, Harvey Fruchter, Attn. at Law; G & G LED; Gliptone; Marlton Classic Car Wash; Mike Conte & Family; Kirikian; Kleen-Rite Corp.; Lorco; Motor City Wash Works; PayMedia; Protapes; Rendemonti Wealth Management; State Farm Insurance (Dave Roy); Tameric; TransActiv; R & T Electric; Val Pak of Central NJ; Washtech.

The winning foursome consisted of Steve Liebhoff, Chris Coleman and Joe Malkin of Circle Lubricants and Kenny Young of Frank Millman Distributors. Second place went to Dave Roy, Chris Hart and Pete DeFazia of Prowash. They each received pro shop gift certificates. Kevin Cooper of Shine Auto Spa had the longest drive on hole #4. Jeremy Liebhoff of Circle Lubricants had the longest drive on hole #12. Joni Millman of Frank Millman Distributors had the closest to the pin on hole #11 and Robert Fagan of Eastern Funding had closest to the pin on hole #16.