We are the Marshall family.
My name is Justin, I am married to my high school sweetheart Allison, and we have two beautiful little boys, Connor (5) and Bryson (2). Connor and Bryson have both been diagnosed with a rare genetic disability which causes a duplication of the PLP1 gene in there genetic code. This specific disability is called "Pelisses-Merzbacher Disease", or PMD for short. It is a type of Leukodystrophy of which there are many, and affects the white matter in the brain. Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure other then consistent physio and is usually life limitting. Funding, foundations and research is also hard to find due to the rarity of the disorder.
We were graciously accepted as a Starlight family March 13th, 2023. Thanks to the generosity and kindness of the Starlight Foundation, we were blessed with some family passes to Ripleys Aquarium this past April. We hadn't had an opportunity to take our two boys, so this was a really nice surprise, especially so soon after becoming a Starlight family.
That was proof enough for us to know, Starlight is one of the good ones. And sparked some inspiration to finally figure out a way to give back. It was evident Starlight and Wishy Washy Car Wash had some common goals, which for me is putting smiles on kids faces.
Monday May 8th I wanted a power washer for the house. To clean the deck, the cars in the driveway, some other things around the house. Then it hit me. I can wash cars on my street and raise money for some foundations we love. So Tuesday when I got home from school, we pulled out the power washer to the curb, made a couple signs, and waited. Fast forward to the following Sunday, we had collected $545 in donations. That night, Sunday May 14th, we made our first $250 donation to McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation. May 15th we made a $250 donation to Starlight Children's Foundation Canada. The other $45 we left in the donation jar to start the following week.
Fast forward again to today, its Monday May 29th, we have been able to match those donations every week since. To date we have raised a total of $1500 donating $750 to both Starlight Children's Foundation and McMaster Children's Foundation in only 14 days!!!
We have gained a ton of support from our community, and we plan to continue down this journey as long we possibly can. Future plans include branching out to other services like power washing decks. Also adding water tanks to a trailer, and taking Wishy Washy Car Wash on the road to pop up wherever we can! Whatever we can do to generate more donations! Our Facebook page already has 36 members along with 8 followers on instagram. Our instagram page also has fundraiser links for both foundations as well in an effort to give those who are to far away for a car wash to be able to support if they please.
We are excited and proud to be a Starlight Family, and we are humbled and happy to be included in the Families-for-Families program.
Thank you.
The Marshall's, and Wishy Washy Car Wash for McMaster Children's Hospital Foundation and Starlight Children's Foundation.
