Daniel Herbster reporting
Pregnancy resource centers are on the front lines of the abortion conflict, giving real options for pregnant women contemplating an abortion by showing them love and giving them accurate information about the innocent life within them. Also, in order for the pro-life movement to be victorious, the younger generations (and “generations yet unborn” as Edmund Burke would have said) must be trained and recruited to carry the battle standard into the future. With these facts in mind, pro-lifers would do well to participate in the third annual Wash for Life.
It is my pleasure to interview Jonathan Tonkowich who is the Director and creator of the Wash for Life. The Wash for Life seeks to recruit and educate the younger generation by enlisting them to wash cars and donate the funds raised to local pregnancy resource centers. Find out more about the Wash for Life at washforlife.com and by reading my interview with Jonathan below.
DH: Jonathan, thanks for doing this interview. We appreciate your time. First, what is the Wash for Life and what is its purpose?
JT: The Wash for Life is hundreds of groups all over the country (and now the world thanks to individuals in Canada and Kenya) who unite on the same Saturday in early September and hold car washes to raise money for their local pregnancy resource center. All the money is donated by the individual groups to their local centers and we collect the stories and total numbers.
We have three main goals for the Wash for Life.
1 – To support the work of pregnancy resource centers. These centers are such an important part of the pro-life movement. They are at the front lines helping real people in difficult situations with their love and compassion.
2 – To recruit a new generation of pro-life leaders and advocates. The Wash for Life is a great way for young people to get involved in bringing about the end of abortion. We have so many stories from the first two washes of young people becoming passionate and excited about working for the cause.
3 – To let the world know that our generation is pro-life. Our generation has been damaged and diminished by abortion. We have seen the destruction it has caused and we need to have voice in speaking out against it.
DH: Who came up with the idea for the Wash for Life and how did it get started?
JT: I actually had the idea while sitting in math class my senior year of college at Thomas AquinasCollege in Santa Paula, CA. The idea stuck with me and I could not stop thinking about it. I knew God must be telling me something. I prayed about it and then started talking with some of my friends. That summer (2006) we all moved to Virginia and worked out of my parent’s basement making phone calls and sending emails trying to get as many groups all over the country to participate.
DH: What is the date for this year’s Wash for Life?
JT: This year the date will be September 13th.
DH: How could our readers start their own Wash for Life in their own neighborhoods?
JT: It’s quite simple and easy. You just hold a car wash at your church, your school, your local gas station, or even your driveway on September 13th. Then donate the money you raise to your local pregnancy care center (if you need help locating one we are more than happy to help you).
Please sign up on our website and we will post your carwash location on our website, so those in the area who want to support can visit your carwash. After your carwash email us your results, your pictures, and your stories, so we can share them. You are joining thousands of others all across the country to be part of a huge nationwide car wash.
DH: Why did you decide to benefit pregnancy resource centers? Why do you think the work they do is so important?
JT: To me the pregnancy resource centers are at the heart of the Pro-life movement. No matter what else we say and do, it is crucial that we are helping people contemplating having an abortion. The pregnancy resource centers are in the trenches fighting to save each and every life. They deserve to be commended, applauded, and fully supported.
The other reason I think that it is important for the Wash for Life to support pregnancy resource centers is that it helps youth groups to learn about the pregnancy resource center in their hometown. Many young people who participate in the Wash for Life will have friends who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy. Their knowledge and involvement in the local center will allow them to give their friend a place to turn for help.
DH: What are some other ways our readers could support your endeavor and where can they find more information about the Wash for Life?
JT: If you are not going to hold a carwash yourself, the best ways for you to support the Washth. We survive because pro-life people like you tell the youth at their local church or school about the Wash for Life and encourage them to hold a Wash for Life carwash. The number one way that we can grow the Wash for Life is through word of mouth, we need people to let the pro-life youth in their area know about the is event so they can get involved. for Life are by spreading the word and by getting your car washed on September 13
Make sure on September 13th you find a local Wash for Life and get your car washed. We post the car wash locations on our website as people sign up, so as the date approaches people know where to find a car wash in their area.
Finally remember the Wash for Life in your prayers. Please pray for those who participate washing cars, those who stop by to get their car washed, and those who will be helped by the money that is raised.
DH: How much money has the Wash for Life raised for pregnancy resource centers in the past and how many young people have you recruited?
JT: The first ever Wash for Life in 2006 had 2,912 participants who washed a total of 5,852 cars and raised $85,145.24. In 2007, we had 2,241 participants who washed 4,327 cars and raised $61,580.41. In total for the first two years we have raised $146,725.65 for pregnancy resource centers. We touched none of this money; it was all donated by the local groups to their local centers.
DH: Should churches be concerned that this program is a political campaign, or is it a non-partisan endeavor which churches and youth groups should feel completely confident about participating in?
JT: This event is completely non-partisan and non-denominational. This event is based on the belief that every human life is sacred and deserves to live from natural conception to natural death. We are fighting for a cause not a political party.
One of the coolest stories from the Wash for Life 2006 was that a Baptist church and a Catholic Church which where across the street from one another joined together to hold a Wash for Life even though they had never done anything together before.
We hope that the Wash for Life unites and brings people together across Christian denominations and across political parties. At the core what the Wash for Life is doing is helping women and children through love and service.
DH: Thanks for your time Jonathan. Please keep us updated and keep up the great work.