Community Involvement

The Perils of Pinewood

In Boy Scouts, Community Involvement, Girl in a Mechanics World, Pinewood Derby by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Guest Post
Margo Schlossberg, Marketing Director
Pinewood Derby kit.
Had I heard of the Boy Scout’s Pinewood Derby? Sure, somewhere maybe the brother of a friend growing up or the son of a friend as an adult. Did I know what the Pinewood Derby was? Nope, no clue, something about making cars out of wood?

About two weeks ago two boxes were delivered to Steve’s Auto Repair, the shop where I work as the marketing director. Well, given may be an improper use of the word since I immediately took one of the boxes, determined to make a car. I mean, how hard could it be?

Apparently, there was a lot more to this Pinewood Derby than I had initially thought. For example, weight and tools were involved. Two things that have always spelled trouble for me. I found a template and thought okay, I will tape the template to the block of wood and just saw it. Easy! Well, after making one very distinct saw mark which was more like a scrape then an actual cut into the wood, it was clear that I was not going to cut the entire car, or in fact, any part of the car. I realized that I was going to have to enlist a bit of assistance.

It is now Wednesday and the cars are due by Friday and will be raced on a surprisingly sophisticated track on Saturday. Did someone say laser? There is also some type of weight limit which I am learning about. So, stay tuned for guest post #2 where we will see if my car is a success or a complete debacle. I hope at least I will win some style points…

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Fun with Pinewood Derby

In Boy Scouts, Community Involvement, Pinewood Derby by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Steve's Auto Repair Owner in front of white board.Our mechanics love a challenge and building their own Pinewood Derby race car out of a block of wood and wheels was definitely a challenge. But the challenge did not stop there. Steve’s Auto Repair and Tire challenged their neighbor HomeTowne Auto Repair and Tire to a mostly friendly race.

HomeTowne, being the newer of the two, accepted the challenge. The winner of the special friends and family pinewood derby race would win bragging rights, a trophy (albeit a 2013 one) and a free lunch from the owner, S.T. Billingsley, provided they could beat his race car’s time.

Each store was given two pinewood derby kits containing the block of wood, axels, and small wheels. Even Steve’s marketing director, Margo, got in on the action determined to create a pink car that would at least not come in last.

What ensued was at times a little less then friendly competition, but high on entertainment value and a lot of fun for all involved in supporting the Boy Scouts. We also learned that some of the technicians may be stolen away by Hollywood if we are not careful, judging by the videos hitting YouTube on both their respective pages.

The friends and family race will be held on January 23rd, so while we still don’t know who the winner will be- what we do know is that excitement is running high as is involvement and support for local Boy Scout troop 1189 here in the Montclair Woodbridge area.

We have put together a behind the scenes look.

Steve’s Auto Repair and Tire steals HomeTowne’s car

How it all ends…

We want to thank Cub Scout Pack 1189 from Montclair Virginia for allowing us to sponsor their pinewood derby this year at John F Pattie elementary school in Dumfries, VA and a thank you to Aromas Pizza on Kevin Walker Drive right off Waterway Drive in Montclair.

Take a look at our wrap up video and see who came out on top. You might be surprised.

Thank you again hope to see you next year…

ST Billingsley

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Girl in a Mechanic World: Steve’s Auto Repair Christmas tree

In Community Involvement, Girl in a Mechanics World, The Salvation Army by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

There is always Christmas spirit here at the shop. Even when we are in the month of July they play Holiday music. But now that we are in the month of December and only a week away it’s a bit more normal when I hear “It’s Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas”.

We even have our first ever Steve’s Auto Repair Christmas tree. The main reason for the Christmas tree was to make it become an Angel tree for The Salvation Army. It was so exciting when we actually started receiving gifts for the kids and for the kids that didn’t get picked ST (owner) and his wife went out and bought everything on the kid’s wish list so that no one was gift less. I even got in it. I picked a 3 year old boy because I always wanted a boy and I figured it was the closest I was ever going to get.

Steve's Auto Repair owner next to shuttle van.

So, on December 11th ST packed up all the presents in the shuttle van and delivered them. I can’t even imagine how excited the kids will be when they receive their gifts. Also we are getting a bunch of Christmas cards and everyone’s attitudes are completely different. We have had customers bring us all types of goodies. So I guess for my New Year’s resolution is to lose everything I’ve gained with these sweets.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Stay Safe and Help Volunteers for the Blind

In Community Involvement, Volunteers for the Blind by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire proudly supports Volunteers for the Blind.

Volunteers for the Blind is a county wide service providing volunteer readers and shopping assistance to people who are blind and visually impaired. One way the organization generates funds is by selling emergency survival kits for your car and your pet.

Steve’s has committed to purchasing commuter survival kits on a monthly basis. These kits contain everything you and your family need to stay safe in an emergency including: food and water a hand crank radio/flashlight and a solar blanket.

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.

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Steve’s Auto and Tire Proudly Supports Volunteers for the Blind

In Community Involvement, Volunteers for the Blind by Steves Auto Repair and Tire

Another great organization serving the community we live in.

Volunteers for the Blind is a county wide service providing volunteer readers and shopping assistance to people who are blind and visually impaired.

Examples of services volunteer readers provide include:

  • Reading mail
  • Helping fill out job applications and other forms
  • Assisting with paying bills, writing checks, and balancing the checkbook
  • Helping college students with assignments requiring library research
  • Reading for leisure and pleasure

Reading instructions on:

  • Prescription medication bottles
  • Household equipment
  • Appliances
  • Cleaning products
  • Packaged foods
  • Baby formula

Shopping Services Including:

  • Grocery shopping
  • Assisting the consumer to label grocery items
  • Gift shopping
  • Shopping for household appliances and furniture

Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.