OAKHURST — When a local business teams up with a local high school, everyone benefits.
For the entire month of February, Sullivan’s Tire Pros is offering a special on select tires at the best price around, and donating part of the proceeds to send five Minarets High School students on a “Close Up Washington, D.C.” trip.
Bob Kelly — who teaches social studies, economics, government and U.S history at Minarets — participated in the Close Up Washington, D.C. trip five times during his tenure at a school in Palo Alto, and wanted the students at Minarets to have the experience.
Mr. Kelly is also a customer of Sullivan Tire Pros in Oakhurst, and as he was pitching Mike and Diane Sullivan for a $50 donation to help fund the trip, they immediately offered him $200. In short order they came up with an even better option — one that could potentially increase that donation to five times the amount.
Mike and Diane decided to have a very special sale, offering selected Bridgestone and Firestone tires for just $10 over cost, with $1 for every tire sold going toward the Close Up Washington, D.C. trip.
The Close Up Foundation is a non-profit whose goal is getting kids to Washington, D.C., to learn how our nation works on an in-depth level. The stated mission of the organization is to inform, inspire, and empower young people to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.
On their trip to the nation’s capital, Minarets students will be partnered up as roommates with students from other parts of the country. They will be on the bus from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., in what Kelly calls a “rolling classroom” that will include debates, discussions and some sightseeing as well.
While in Washington, D.C., the students will have the opportunity to meet with the staff of Congressman Tom McClintock, the U.S. Representative for California’s 4th Congressional District, and hopefully with the congressman himself. They will also observe speakers at the National Press Club and possibly even watch the senators as they have their breakfast.
The trip will run from Mar. 12 – 19. In addition to visiting D.C., students will spend some time in New York, exploring civics, history, economics and culture.
The cost is $2,816 per student, which is all-inclusive. The teens do manage some fundraising themselves, such as the pre-sale of Krispy Kreme donuts for Trivia Night at Minarets High School on Feb. 10.
And now, thanks to the community spirit of the folks at Sullivan’s Tire Pros, everyone can be part of making this fun and educational trip possible by getting that fresh set of tires for winter driving, with a rock-bottom price in the bargain.
Sullivan’s Tire Pros, a Sierra News Online Community Partner, is locally owned and locally invested. You’ll find them at 40126 Highway 49 in Oakhurst. Call 559-683-5900 for more information.
Store hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m., and they are closed on Sunday.
