Parents lend a ‘hand wash’ to educators

On a daily basis teachers train future leaders like engineers, entrepreneurs, firefighters and police officers. They help raise children, provide a foundation for character and ethics. They teach them social skills, group interaction and provide them with knowledge for the future.

So, it’s no surprise if they forget to wash their car once and a while.

Most schools are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week, and the parents at Lil’ Lighthouse wanted to do something special.

“It’s a time for parents to express appreciation for teachers and staff who interact with their children every day,” the preschool’s director, Marge Menashe, said. “We partner with the parents in raising their kids.”

They provided them with flowers and treats, brought them breakfast and lunch, and gave them cards in thanks. But for an unusual treat, parents hired a professional hand car wash service to make a stop at the preschool and clean the teachers’ vehicles.

“I loved it,” said Lil’ Lighthouse teacher Rhonda Miller.

ProntoWash came by and detailed the vehicles at the parents’ request.

“In my estimation, teachers’ jobs are the most important,” Menashe said. “Unfortunately, they are one of the most underpaid jobs, as well.”

The impact teachers have on children’s lives is measurable, Menashe said. At the preschool age, they lay the foundation for academic success, social skills and ethics, she added. So when she heard parents were planning to express their appreciation to her teachers, she told them about Jim Fitzpatrick, a parent of a child at the school and president of ProntoWash.

“It was a great opportunity for me to give back,” Fitzpatrick said.

ProntoWash is a unique service. It is a green, eco-friendly car wash that uses one pint of water to wash a car with a mixture of waxes and other cleaning supplies that make runoff almost non-existent. It is a 100% hand wash, portable and usually costs about $20 to $25 — but the parents took care of that.

“They care so much about our kids, they don’t spend the time or money on their vehicle,” Fitzpatrick said. “This is something really unique they haven’t had done for them before.”

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.