BONNERS FERRY — Trinity Lutheran Church raised $887 for school supplies for Boundary County students at its second annual community car wash Sept. 19 in the Columbia Bank parking lot. 

The fundraiser was organized through the church’s outreach committee, chaired by Trish Johnson. Church members handled the car washing, with members of local Scout Troop 114 also turning out to help with the event. 

“We had a great time,” Johnson said. “We had good turnout from customers and our workers.” 

The $887 raised will be divided equally among Boundary County’s five schools to help purchase school supplies for students. Johnson said the church sends each school an equal share of the proceeds, allowing the schools to determine which supplies are most needed. 

The car wash operated entirely by donation, and Johnson estimated volunteers washed more than 50 vehicles during the event. Customers were also treated to free popcorn from a popcorn machine borrowed from the Scouts. 

This year’s total was slightly lower than the amount raised last year, which Johnson attributed in part to the event having to be rescheduled because of the fires. Despite the date change, she said the fundraiser still received strong support from the community. 

The Sept. 19 event marked the church’s second annual car wash, and Johnson said there are already plans to hold the event again next year. 

The outreach committee also plans to continue other community projects throughout the coming year, including assembling birthday kits for the food bank in February and working toward participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program.