Friends, Family Wash Cars In Honor Of Fallen Teen

Friends and family of a fallen teenager gathered at a Parkville pediatrician’s office Saturday morning and quickly got to scrubbing—cars, that is.

A line, at times more than five cars long, waited to be soaped up and rinsed off for a good cause. The cost of the car wash went toward a donation to help pay for Michael Truluck's headstone.

Truluck, a 13-year-old student, .

Among those washing cars was the boy's father, Michael Truluck Jr.

"I am just overwhelmed. I can't thank these people enough," Truluck said. "I had no idea my son had so many friends. I knew he was popular and well liked but I never knew he had touched this many lives.

"Michael would love this," Truluck continued. "It's a great day, the sun is shining. Michael was a ray of sunshine, and I know it's him shining down on us."

Well over 20 people were on hand to help out—washing cars and selling snowballs and baked goods.

The event was organized by Dawn Miller-Campbell, whose son Matthew was close friends with Michael.

"The turn out has been absolutely incredible," Miller-Campbell said. "I'm overwhelmed by the outcome—the outreach of everybody [who has] come out today."

Peggy Wiland, who works at Parkville's , came to have her car washed.

"I first saw this was happening in the Patch," Wiland said. "It's a good cause. His death was a tragedy, and this is the least I could do. I would like to see him have a headstone."

Miller-Campbell said the group hoped to raise at least $1,200 dollars to pay for the cost of the memorial.

"I think we'll get there and then some," Miller-Campbell said. "We should be able to get him something really nice."

The group was still washing cars as of about 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Allyson Watt, another of the event's organizers, said they'd continue to do so "until the donations stop."