Diplomacy is the art of letting someone else get your way. And look who benefits-everyone, even the person getting a car wash feels good about helping and then drives away in a clean car. You can even offer your patrons a wash-a-thon pledge sheet to sign for how many cars you wash. Imaging giving a check to the favorite charity of the building owner? Nothing like positive business relationships.

Winslow's book also contains a section on environmental concerns, water conservation and quality issues. So when the reporter comes out the day of the event, you can give great quotes on how you are not only helping the kids, but you are helping the environment. Show them how you have blocked off the storm drains to prevent contamination of ground water and how you have conserved water. Maybe even throw a brochure on water-saving tips in each grab bag-you can get a tone of consumer material on water conservation from City Hall. With a little creativity, you find yourself very fulfilled, making some money for a worthy charity, getting a little free PR and some new customers. Talk about a win-win situation. There is power in promotion!

It is fun, it is free and you can really feel good about giving back to your community. It is important to give a little as you grow, and let the community know you care. And if the customers choose your lot over the lot next door? Well I'd say you deserve it.

Winslow's book, "How to Run a Successful Car Wash Fund Raiser," is available free online at his web site: www.carwashguys.com. The 63-page book can viewed online or downloaded as a PDF file. To find the book, access the pull-down menu, which says, "In The Media," scroll down to "fund raising" and click "Go."