A 13-year-old student from Dublin, California, has raised $2,100 through a home-based vehicle cleaning business, with half of every sale going to local charities that support homeless and food-insecure residents. Zayd Badar, an eighth-grader at Fallon Middle School, started his business, Kindness Car Wash, in early July after his grandfather raised concerns about how much time he was spending on screens during the summer break. Wanting to stay busy, the teenager decided to start washing cars from his driveway. According to a report by local news platform Dublin Patch, Badar has cleaned around 60 vehicles since launching the business on July 8. By setting aside 50 per cent of his earnings, he raised $1,000 for local community organisations within weeks. Badar runs the business from his family home in Dublin, but also travels to customers’ homes to clean their vehicles when requested. Prices range from $15 to $30 per car, depending on the service and location.
Screen time conversation inspired summer business
The idea began during a conversation at home when Badar’s grandfather suggested that he spend less time on digital screens during the school summer holiday. When Badar said he was too young to get a regular job, his grandfather encouraged him to think about starting his own small business. “That’s when I thought about car washing and asked my mom if we have a hose I can use,” Badar said in an interview reported by Dublin Patch. “At first, it was just about me making some pocket money but then my mom reminded me that if I’m making money it’s also good to give back to the community. I have always been passionate about supporting homeless and food insecure people.” Following his mother’s advice, Badar decided to split every payment equally between his own savings and charitable donations. His customers have included local residents as well as Dublin City Council member and mayoral candidate Michael McCorriston.
Charitable donations aimed at local support groups
The money raised through Kindness Car Wash will go to two non-profit organisations serving communities in Northern California’s Tri-Valley area. Badar plans to give a $1,000 cheque to Open Heart Kitchen, a Livermore-based food bank and hot meal provider, during its annual gala on September 11. A second $1,000 donation is planned for April. Badar intends to give the money to Tri-Valley Haven, a non-profit organisation that runs a food bank and provides support services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The rest of his earnings will be kept by Badar as income from his summer work. Some of the money also helps cover the cost of supplies, while giving him practical experience in running a business.
Longstanding commitment to community service
The car wash is the latest community service project Badar has carried out with his family over several years. During the previous winter holiday season, the student organised a gift drive for low-income and unhoused students in the Dublin Unified School District. He created an online registry where members of the community could buy items from a list of things requested by students. After the gifts were delivered to his home, Badar packed them individually and gave them to school district officials, who distributed them to families in need. “I am doing this because I wanted to learn entrepreneurship while also learning to give back to my community,” Badar told Dublin Patch. “Ever since I was young my mom has always done community service projects with me. I also want to show other kids that you are never too young to make an impact in your community. I hope other kids get inspired by my project and do projects that they are passionate about!” Badar continues to accept bookings for his car wash service while balancing the business with his studies at Fallon Middle School.
