Local church groups support first responders through car wash
Local church groups in Desert Hot Springs gathered to show appreciation for local first responders Tuesday morning by holding a special car wash. The car wash was for members of the Desert Hot Springs Police Department, local firefighters, and city officials.
Several officers from DHSPD and city council member Russell Betts made an appearance early on.
The church groups that organized the car wash included Grace Church and is part of the 40 Days of Love initiative, aimed at spreading acts of charity throughout the community. The group decided to show their love of “public safety” by holding the car wash.
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Gabriela Franco, a member of the church, said the idea behind the car wash was through the Bible, where Jesus washed the feet of His disciples to show humility. Members of the church decided take a modern interpretation by washing the vehicles of first responders and city officials.
“It will take us a long time to wash their feet,” Franco said. “But washing their cars, it will be probably be a little faster, but this is a way of loving them.”
Officer Yesenia Barriola, a member of DHSPD, said she appreciated the generosity of the community for putting on the event. She felt something like this could reinforce relationships and build trust in the community, especially kids.
“That kind of breaks the ice between juveniles and police officers,” she said. “We’re not this scary type of officers that most people think we are. We’re just like any other person.”
Police Chief Dale Mondary said the event may be the first time his officers received this type of generosity form the community and appreciated the gesture.
“It’s just a wonderful,” he said. “It’s really a show of support from so many people in the community.”
