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SAN DIEGO - The City of Laguna Niguel teamed up with the crew members of the guided-missile frigate USS McClusky (FFG 41) and washed 132 cars, which raised $5,400 that will be used toward command events and programs.

Sixty-seven of McClusky’s officers, crew, families, and friends gathered at the Plaza de la Paz parking lot with the Laguna Niguel Military Support Committee early Saturday morning, to set up lanes for the car wash and equipment displays designed to communicate McClusky’s mission. Training on how to use the environment-friendly “waterless” car wash system was conducted, and the McClusky team began tackling the growing ranks of dirty vehicles.

The majority of the customers that came in Saturday were first-timers, but a handful of them were not strangers to supporting their military.

"I saw that there was a car wash so I figured I would stop in,” said Irma Rodriguez, a Mission Viejo resident. “If I see that there’s a car wash, I try to wait for that day to help military organizations out.”

One Laguna Niguel local, Kevin Stachel, spent his time at the firefighting display while he waited for his car to be washed.  Damage Control Fireman Troy White explained how McClusky Sailors use the displayed equipment to fight fires on the ship.

“I saw the sign and decided to come in because I come from a military family,” said Stachel."The [crash and salvage] jacket is pretty awesome and I really like the thermal imaging video camera.”

The car wash equipment and supplies were all provided by the City of Laguna Niguel’s Military Support Committee as well as drinks and snacks, and Tony Pepperoni Pizzeria donated pizza for lunch. Laguna Niguel Mayor Gary Capata was overwhelmed at the turnout and support for the McClusky car wash event.

“The car wash was a great success. Commander Glaser and his crew did an outstanding job and went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to interacting with the community,” said Capata.

The City of Laguna Niguel adopted McClusky on June 3, 2003, as part of the America Supporting Americans Adopt a Ship Program. The purpose of the program is to bond Americans with servicemen and women who serve our country.