Big Dan’s Shine On Awards Salutes the Community Spirit that Shaped Our Country 250 years Ago

Subhead: 26 winners from across the Southeast will be honored with free car washes and a $250 donation to their favorite local charity

ROME, Ga., May 18, 2026: Some 250 years ago, our nation was founded by those dedicated to helping others, always before themselves.

History knows the names and exploits of those who led the fight. But forgotten over time are the people who served their towns and others in need by embracing the call to do the right thing.

This year, as our country celebrates the true Spirit of 1776, Big Dan’s Car Wash is honoring people who continue to light the way and do so without personal gain or attention.

Big Dan’s Shine On Awards asks residents in the 26 communities across three states served by our express wash teams to nominate someone who constantly works to help others.

The nominees should be ordinary citizens who embrace the American tradition of helping their neighbors, who regularly volunteer to help make things better, who sacrifice for others and – in doing so, have an extraordinary impact on their communities.

From those nominations, we’ll select one community servant in each of our markets and present each with a year’s worth of unlimited car washes. In addition, we’ll award $250 to each winner’s hometown charity of choice.

Says Big Dan’s president Jay Shadday: “Just as our founding fathers stepped forward in a defining moment, today’s unsung heroes do so in schools, neighborhoods, nonprofits, churches, hospitals and small businesses. Their quiet, everyday acts transform people who are struggling and are worth celebrating.”

What defines a Shine On Award winner? We believe they are the people who:

• Volunteer as they consistently put others’ needs ahead of their own.

• Rise to be that person who does extraordinary things expecting no personal gains (financial, recognition or status).

• Showcase humility and quiet leadership while striving for meaningful impact.

• Embody compassion, honesty and community ethics.

• And, in doing all this, they remain committed to making a vital difference in the lives of a neighbor or the community.

• You’ll find a detailed nomination form on our website, including what each entry should include. Nominations are currently being accepted and the deadline for completing one is June 29. Visit www.bigdanscarwash.com/shineonaward/ to nominate someone today.

We’ll review each entry and from them, pick the Shine On winners from our markets in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Winners will be contacted by Big Dan’s and announced on July 6.

About Big Dan’s

The Shadday Family Office, the principal owner of Big Dan’s Car Wash, launched the Big Dan’s brand in December 2020. The company’s top goal is to give customers an exceptional experience: a best-in-class product, the most convenient locations, industry-leading technology, equipment and chemicals, friendly team members, long tunnels that clean your vehicle better and faster, numerous free amenities, single wash options, and Big Dan’s unlimited wash club programs. The company has 26 sites with eight more under construction. The corporate office in Rome, Ga., staffs and supports all locations. For more, please follow us at www.bigdanscarwash.com.