Hamilton, ON - June 18, 2010 – Abracadabra! CARSTAR Collision Centres have once again made magic happen for children in need across North-America for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the U.S. as well as local fundraising groups. Final numbers show that volunteers helped wash more than 5,500 cars and raised more than $150,000 across North America. In Canada alone, more than $117,000 was raised.

“Over the past seven years the CARSTAR Soaps it Up for Cystic Fibrosis campaign has grown and become an important fundraising event for our customers, employees and partners,” said Sam Mercanti, President and CEO of CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc. “We’re very honoured to have our Franchise Partners and staff who take the lead in their markets and are committed to finding a cure for this disease.”

The theme for this year’s event was entitled “A Splash of Magic” and was held on June 12, 2010 at over 80 CARSTAR locations across Canada. In keeping with the magical theme, CARSTAR enlisted Canada’s Premiere Event Illusionist Brian Michaels as spokesperson for the National Charity event. Michaels has cystic fibrosis and is encouraged by all the community support behind making this fundraiser a reality in so many locations across the country each year. “Thanks to events like Soaps It Up, I’ve been able to live with CF for over thirty years, and pursue my dream to become an illusionist, performing all over Canada and the world,” said Michaels. “The funds raised will support significant research advances and will continue to aid our ultimate goal of finding a cure for the disease.”

Cystic fibrosis is the most common, fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults. A devastating disease, cystic fibrosis attacks primarily the lungs and the digestive system and requires a daily regime of intensive physical therapy and medications. There is no cure. There are approximately 3,500 people across Canada living with cystic fibrosis.

Last year, CARSTAR locations across North America washed over 4,000 cars and set the Guinness World Record for the largest car wash in North America. Fresh off last year’s inaugural American Soaps It Up day, CARSTAR locations in the United States participated for their second consecutive year. This event has become a great tradition to bring all of the CARSTAR Nation together to support these important causes.

Sponsors for this year’s Soaps It Up included: BASF; Quiznos; Nolitours; King Rose Travel; The DAC Group; Domino’s Pizza Canada and AIR MILES®.


About CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc.
CARSTAR is the fastest growing automotive repair franchise network with over 400 locations in North America. Founded in Hamilton, Ontario in 1995, CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc. has grown from eight to over 140 locations throughout 10 provinces. Within Canada, CARSTAR repairs approximately 100,000 vehicles per year with the highest rate of customer satisfaction. Through a variety of fundraising initiatives, CARSTAR, its franchisees, partners and employees have raised over $1.7 million for the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information, please visit www.carstar.ca

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For more information, please contact:
Sharon Welch
CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc.
1-800-665-2264 ext. 290
swelch@carstar.ca

Lisa Mercanti-Ladd
CARSTAR Automotive Canada Inc.
1-800-665-2264 ext. 234
lmercanti-ladd@carstar.ca