Carstar - SuperStang

(KANSAS CITY, Kan., Oct. 2, 2007) – CARSTAR, North America’s largest collision repair network, has been raising money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® since June with its nationwide Super’Stang Muscle Tour and its re-creation of a legendary 1967 Mustang. On Sunday, Sept. 23 during the CARSTAR Marketing Conference, the fundraising effort got an unexpected $2,000 boost when Director of Franchise Sales Paul Evans agreed to be dunked while wearing his favorite Joseph Abboud suit.

The Sept. 24 CARSTAR National Marketing Conference ended with a game of softball at the Community America Ballpark, the home of the Kansas City T-Bones. “A dunk tank was on hand to help raise money for the tour. There were a lot of people there with swim trunks and goggles, but I was wearing my favorite suit and hadn’t intended on going to the softball game,” said Evans. “A friend of mine offered $500 for me to take the dunk tank’s seat. Our Chief Executive Officer Dick Cross recognized the suit and said that it would cost at least $2,000 to get me in that tank.”

“Well, needless to say they raised $2,000 in about 8.5 seconds. And sure enough, our communication vice president’s son hit it on the first throw,” said Evans. “We were able to raise about $700 from other dunks and even the snack bar staff donated its tips.” The $2,700 raised at this event will be added to the $155,407 already raised by the tour and the local star program.

“I am proud to be working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Evans. “My brother was granted a wish when he was a child and he took our entire family to Disney World, so I personally know how important this charity is to kids.”

The CARSTAR Super’Stang, created by CARSTAR and one of the country’s leading restorer of Mustangs, Jeff Yergovich, is the centerpiece of a nationwide, 18-month fundraising tour to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The legendary 1967 prototype Ford Mustang will be sold at auction in January 2009 to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

The CARSTAR National Marketing Conference in Overland Park, Kan., was attended by more than 90 CARSTAR franchises from across America. Honors for marketing excellence were awarded in several categories. Notably, the Northwest Indiana Business Group won business group of the year. This group includes four stores: Blake’s CARSTAR, Idzik CARSTAR, Liss CARSTAR and Performance CARSTAR. The CarCareOne Contest winner of the 2^nd quarter of 2007 was Lisa Rohner of Collision Automotive CARSTAR in East Hartford, Conn. Cheryl Shumake of the Chicago Business Group was awarded the Outstanding Business Development Manager of the year award. Degroot’s CARSTAR of Kalamazoo, Mich., won the Emerging Market Store of the year award.