West Orange Students Wash Cars for Autism

Students at Liberty Middle School found a way to beat the heat and raise some money for autism awareness at the school on Monday. 

Cars pulled up to the school throughout the morning to get their cars hand washed by more 80 students. And students dunked their hands in soapy water and scrubbed cars as part of the school’s Extended Year Program to fundraise for autism awareness. 

Coordinator of the program and school psychologist Sanhita Kar was also at the car wash on Monday getting her hands wet. She said that the academic program primarily helps special needs students with reading, language arts, mathematics and other services. 

Kar said this was the program’s first car wash as well as the first car wash for many of the students. She added that fundraisers such as the car wash not only help raise much needed funds, but they also provide an environment where special needs students can get real-world experience.

Students also were raising literacy awareness by selling scratch-offs. Everyone who won will be able to send a book to someone of their choice for free. 

The car was generated more than $300 that morning.  

“We had such a great turnout,” said Kar. “Parents were very supportive in reference to coming out and also ... allowing their kids to participate. It was a really great success.”

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