Seaholm sports team participants can breathe an easy sigh of relief as it was confirmed by a Mobil employee that the fundraiser carwashes at the Mobil station located at the intersection of Woodward and Oak can proceed as expected despite to the crash that took place on May 19, 2009.
According to the Michigan Traffic Crash Report on file at the Birmingham Police Department, two vehicles were involved in the crash when on vehicle made an improper turn.
“Vehicle number 2 was heading southbound on Woodward in the curb lane approaching Oak, while Vehicle number 1 was in the second lane also heading southbound on Woodward,” said the written report. “Vehicle number 1 changed lanes to make a turn into Mobil and cut off vehicle number 2, and vehicle number 2 was forced onto the curb. Vehicle number 1 turned into Mobil where both vehicles struck. Vehicle 2 drove into the gas station.”
Seaholm sports teams have been holding car wash fundraisers at this station for years, and concern was raised at the thought that these might not be able to take place due to the crash. The idea arose that the teams might have to relocate their car washes.
“Trying to do a car wash at another location, I don’t think we would get as much money and it would be harder to organize,” said junior Maggie O’Reilly-Treter, who is a member of both the track and cross country team. “We would lose a lot of money, and it would really hurt our team,” said Treter.
Over the years, that location has become known for the car washes, and students feared that changes places would not be ideal.
“The thing is, that’s a prime location,” said Treter.
Junior Bridget Laverty, a member of the varsity volleyball team acknowledges that not only is the location at Woodward and Oak a perfect spot, but actually working with the station always occurred without problems.
“That Mobil really supports Seaholm and if people asked them to do something there, and if they could, they always said yes,” said Laverty.
Other stations were less than enthusiastic.
“A lot of other gas stations don’t really want to deal with car washes,” said Laverty.
This past year was the first time that the girls volleyball team held a car wash fundraiser, and their experience was nothing but positive.
“Last year was our first year doing one for volleyball,” said Laverty, “but we definitely had most everybody from all three teams comes, and the parents got involved, their friends came, and other friends from Seaholm came.”
Another team that utilizes this station for car washes is the Maple Motion dance team.
