After the Niles Westside and Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist churches held a fundraising car wash Sunday, July 13, there were a lot of cleaner cars around Niles. And one very grateful beneficiary.

The money raised, a total of $502, was to benefit Polly's Place, a shelter for abused women and children.

"They had so much fun doing it," said Margaret "Peggy" Cain, chair of the board at Polly's Place.

"And they raised more than $500, so they are going to do it again next month."

The car wash was originally planned to help the shelter in funding a new roof, but the money comes after a fire destroyed a computer lab and affected the entire shelter earlier this month.

Juveniles were suspected of setting the fire at the shelter, as well as breaking into the shelter's home. The fire wiped out electricity and a water-pump. The garage, Cain said, has no electricity, "and there's no water for the caretaker's cottage."

Cain said she didn't have any information on what was happening with the juveniles suspected of committing the crimes.

She added "we have people willing to help" in rebuilding and fundraising for the shelter, but Polly's Place is still waiting on insurance specifics to be ironed out.

Asked if Polly's Place was able to offer its services to women and children suffering from domestic abuse now, Cain answered, "we're not at this time, no."

The Niles Westside and Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist churches [held] a second car wash on Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Advance Auto in Niles "generously donated all the necessary equipment including soap, cloths, water and buckets and the facility," to which Cain offers a very special thanks.

On Friday, Jordan Rohl and Chelsie Pysklo, the two best friends who were responsible for "Sole Friends," a shoe drive for the shelter, presented Cain with 134 pairs of shoes to benefit those in need.

Jessica Seiff, reporter, Niles Daily Star, Leader Publications. Originally published Friday, July 18. Reprinted with permission.

For additional information about Polly's Place, visit www.pollysplacenetwork.com.