Wake Up to Awareness to Host First Fundraiser

, in partnership with the Youth Advisory Board and the , will host its First Annual Wake Up to Awareness Car Wash on Saturday.

Proceeds from the event will go toward building the organization and making it a legitimate non-profit whose goal is to raise drug awareness. 

Renato Manaloto, founder of Wake Up to Awareness, said that he and co-founders Giovanni Fuentes and Amanda Louisa, cannot believe how much the organization has grown in just a short span of four months.

"It's crazy how it started with a small idea and then just took off," the graduate said.

Fuentes agreed.

"We are very invested in this," he said. "We want to get our organization off the ground and be recognized as a New York State non-profit.

The trio said that they have all been affected by drug abuse, losing friends and former classmates.

"This issue has been happening to people who are part of this community and we now have the chance to raise awareness," Louisa said.

Saturday's event will include: a car wash for donations, food, activities for children, a DJ, a dunk tank, a memory box and a memory wall in honor of friends and family who have died of substance abuse and informative brochures on drugs.

"It's going to be a community day," Louisa said.

Manaloto said that he hopes the organization can make a real difference, especially in the lives of children.

"I hear that kids that are in middle school have access to marijuana and we want to let them know that just the decision to avoid trying it, can save their lives."


The First Annual Wake Up to Awareness Car Wash will take place at the East Meadow Fire Department Headquarters at 197 East Meadow Ave. from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering for the event send an email to wakeuptoawareness@gmail.com.

Attendees are encouraged to bring pictures of loved ones who have died of substance abuse to be included on the memory wall.