Car care event was a success

• Car wash

Dakota County Technical College student Kevin Heinecke wets down a van as part of an event to thank soldiers for their service. The DCTC automotive students serviced and washed more than 40 vehicles Feb. 19.

Talk about it

Kristin DeJarlais appreciates that someone wants to help take care of her family after her husband, Zack, has been deployed for a year with the 34th Infantry Division. A soldier herself, DeJarlais said it’s nice to know someone cares.

The couple brought their SUV to Dakota County Technical College Feb. 19 to get it checked out as part of an effort the school put on to help soldiers. Students and staff in the school’s automotive programs provided a free car clinic for soldiers and their families.

As part of the clinic students conducted a 30-point safety inspection and fulfilled basic maintenance including replacing lights and topping off fluids. While they weren’t able to fix everything they found that day students diagnosed problems and set up times for the families to come back and get things fixed. The students served more than 40 vehicles over the course of the morning.

While the students busily went about providing the car services, the soldiers enjoyed a free breakfast in DCTC’s Veterans Lounge.

The event was the brainchild of second year auto body instructor Gerry Rainford. Halfway through the event, Rainford said he was pleased with how things had turned out.

“Things have just been fantastic,” said Rainford as he helped his students dry a Dodge Ram.

While they had to wake up early - the event started at 7 a.m. - the students in the automotive program said they enjoyed providing the event.

“They helped us out, so it’s been fun helping them out,” said Dave Webb.

Webb, who changed oil throughout the day, said the event also provided some educational opportunities.

“Every time you work on a car you learn something new,” said Webb.

The event didn’t just involve automotive students. The DCTC Student Life department also got involved. Director Nicole Meulemans said it was a pleasure to help the soldiers and their families.

To help put on the event the school received overwhelming support from area business through donations, said Meulemans.

While no dates have been set Rainford said he hopes they can put on another event in the future.

“I think it’s been a really good thing and people seem to really appreciate it,” said Rainford.

Tags: local news, news, rosemount, minnesota