Care Wash Youth Group Goes To The Dogs To Raise Money For Mission

Jesus Christ washed the feet of his apostles. A few centuries, decades, years, months, hours and minutes later, the Youth Group from St. Mary’s ended up washing the paws of Spokane Valley’s dog population.

On July 8, special anti-filth forces from St. Mary’s Youth Group met at Evergreen Pet Supply to wash dogs and earn money for their mission trip to Mexico, where they will build houses for the homeless.

In swarms, the dogs marched in to be washed. Big, little, young and old turned out to have their fur shampooed, conditioned, dried and brushed - with a doggy treat at the end.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. the Mexico missionaries washed dogs in a makeshift Ford-like assembly line. By pure contemporary standards it may not have been the most organized sight one has ever seen, but efficient nonetheless.

Ninety-five dogs, two cats and a car later, after everyone had cleared their throats of fur, the group had raised a modest $489.

Though our own federal legislators will never stoop to such measures (picture Newt, Al Gore, Bobby Dole and big Bill from Little Rock standing over ovens baking tasty little cookies for sale to fund their military programs or health care reform), there was only enthusiasm among the 30 teen missionaries. They’ve raised roughly $22,000 over the year through donations, yard work, car washes, a dinner theater, a turkey bingo, silent auctions for rosaries, a garage sale, a generous $8,000 grant and, most recently, the dog wash.

For two weeks beginning July 25, the teens and adult chaperones will drive down to Mexico to build two houses for two families that desperately need them.

There will be no electric concrete mixers, power saws or nail guns. Hand saws, hammers, shovels, and caring hearts will build for two families something they may never have had; their own place to live, love and learn.

A vacation it is not.

“It’s more of a purpose of building unity between all people through the basis of love, whether it be God or for the idea of love and the good of mankind,” said Chris Gronenthal, 20.

The group plans to go with humble hearts to learn from people who have so little. They’re not going down to learn how to build houses, but to learn how to live every second in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

“It’s rewarding to watch the conversion of the kids and see their deeper understanding of their faith and their love for humanity,” said Annie Trunkle, St. Mary’s youth group advisor.

Marty Carlton, a junior from Central Valley, expects the experience to be humbling and hopes to learn from the people of Mexico. “I think even though they have so little, they are always much happier than us Americans who have so much.”

The group gives special thanks to people and organizations that have helped in the effort to help others: Amor Ministries, St. Mary’s parish, The Knights of Columbus, The St. Mary’s Players, Evergreen Pet Supply, all the patrons of our many fund raisers and, the 95 dogs, two cats and a car.

MEMO: Eric Gilbert is a 1995 graduate from Central Valley High School. He’s one of the 30 teens venturing to Mexico this month.