Back in June, 2019, Brian Damiani and Mike Fitzgerald opened a detailing business in Richboro, PA called Classic Rock Auto Detail. A longtime friend of MGK gave us a tip about the place, and the fact they were doing some great work in the community while rocking out to the best Classic Rock. Hearing this, we had to pay them a visit.
What we found out about Classic Rock Auto Detail, though, was something truly awesome.
They only hire special needs adults, then they train them at the art of auto detailing and hand washing.
Damiani and Fitzgerald are both fathers to special needs adults and were motivated to create Classic Rock Auto Detail after running the Miracle League, a baseball field in Bucks County for special needs children to play baseball and be competitive. They said that, while the baseball program gave special needs kids hope in sports, they are providing career opportunities for those who can and want to work.
And believe us, these young adults work! Their slogan is “Our attention to detail, (in the words of Mick Jagger) could make a grown man cry.” Their goal is to show people that, while some people feel their cognitive differences may hold them back, they can still do amazing work!
It can be very difficult for people with special needs to find employment and become an active part in the community after high school. As fathers of young adults with special needs, Damiani and Fitzgerald decided to take action. They began making connections with employers willing to hire people with special needs, in efforts to not only find these adults employment, but also a fair wage. Because of The Fair Labor Standards Act, employers can pay certain workers with disabilities below minimum wage. Classic Rock Auto Detail, however, pays their staff minimum wage, with hour amounts varying in total, depending on business traffic.
Their services include washes, waxes, and everything that you can expect from an auto-detailing company, along with Classic Rock Flair. The facility is decorated in Classic Rock tapestries, and iconic album covers edited to feature the hard working staff.
Together, with the staff of Classic Rock Auto Detail, Damiani and Fitzgerald are both making a difference in the lives of those with special needs by actively involving them in the community through employment, and also helping to eliminate the stereotypes about people with special needs in the workforce.
Sean Burke and I had a great time touring the facilities and chatting with the hard working staff, and I’m so glad we were able to share their story with you. Check them out if you’re in the area and need a nice, clean ride!
See some pics from our trip below (click on any photo to see it larger), and get more info HERE
~@andregardner