Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 26, 1994 TAG: 9408170042
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Kathleen Wilson
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sadly, the 3-year-old wasn't in town to appreciate it. Andrew has been in the University of Virginia's Medical Center since June.
He has leukemia.
To help out Andrew's parents, Dick and Lori Braford, Dick's co-workers tempted fate and thunderstorms by throwing a fund-raising car wash at the Salem Bank and Trust on Virginia 419.
On most Saturdays, car wash competition along this route is fierce. Girl Scouts. Rescue Squads. Last year, the Holiday Inn threw one to raise money for the flood-stricken Midwest.
But the Roanoke County Police Department had no rivals Saturday.
Dick Braford is an officer, and the weather wasn't going to stop his co-workers from helping out.
I've always found that the key to success in these fund-raising car washes lies not necessarily in the cause, but in the enthusiasm of the ones out on the highway holding up the CAR WASH! signs. It was difficult to pass by someone holding a sign with a photo of Andrew that read ``HELP A 3-YEAR-OLD WITH LEUKEMIA!''
Let's face it. Police officers are no dummies. They strategically placed themselves at the big intersection near Oak Grove Plaza on 419 and those with the signs took advantage of every red light.
``People just rolled down their windows and handed me money,'' said Brenda Mills, who figured she'd racked up $50 alone just holding up the sign and going car to car when the light turned red.
``When you get a close look at Andrew, it's hard not to open your wallet, even if you don't need your car washed.''
There was a never-ending waiting line of dirty cars with optimistic drivers, even as the skies grew gray and thunder rumbled in the background. Many of them were police vehicles, dropping by for the chance to tease a co-worker for slaving over a vehicle.
Sgt. Barry Mills helped organize this event.
``We do whatever we can,'' he said. Andrew is the youngest of three Braford children. ``The expenses have been outrageous for the family.''
Det. Chris Nielsen told me that I was more than welcome to pick up a sponge and pitch in, but I did my part by turning over to the proper authorities the money folks kept handing me.
All the police were asking for the wash was a contribution.
Jim Lucas and Dottie Bull handed over $10.
The pot kept building despite the threatening weather.
Frank Wilkins, who described himself as ``just a plain old beat cop,'' had just come off the midnight shift, then got up to wash cars. He washed Escorts. He washed Sables.
He washed one pretty impressive Lincoln Towne Car.
It belonged to Lt. L.J. Wade, who's about to retire after 37 years on the force - 20 with the county; 17 with the city.
L.J. gets razzed some by those he works with, but he's still mighty proud of that car.
``When I quit smoking 14 years ago, I saved up all the money I woulda spent on cigarettes and bought it brand new,'' he said with pride of the '88 model.
``It's sort of like his patrol car,'' cracked Barry Mills. ``Both have very few miles on them.''
Paige Brogan, 7, and Rachel Linkous, 7, were offering free lemonade for those getting their cars washed.
Paige gave me a big hug with my cup of pink lemonade, and she didn't even know I was a reporter who might put her name in the paper.
``I just felt like giving you a hug,'' she explained. ``I guess I'm just a lovable child.''
Out on 419, Det. David Wells was working the street. When a red sports car almost took flight through a red light, David joked, ``I'm gonna remember him.''
Across the street, Barry's wife, JoAnne, put her lungs to good use, screaming, ``Help this child!''
As the thunder rumbled, David told those with their windows down, ``Don't mind that stuff. Go get your car washed.''
A couple in a Plymouth Voyager didn't have time for the wash, but forked over $2 to David for the cause.
By day's end, and despite the occasional rain drop, the Roanoke County Police Department raised an amazing $730.17.
An Andrew Braford trust fund has been set up at N&W Credit Union, account number 83652. For information, call Sarah Willard of N&W at 983-8811.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***