Successful Free Laundry Day Creates Smiles and Goodwill
On Thursday, April 13, 2017, the LaundryCares Foundation coordinated a large Free Laundry Day at Dirty Laundry Express in Irvington, NJ. This community event gained increased momentum as the time approached, thanks to the laundry owners and Coin Laundry Association members who rallied to make this among the most successful Free Laundry Days to date.
More than 60 volunteers turned out to Dirty Laundry Express to help with the day’s events, which opened to the general public at 11 a.m. and continued to 4 p.m. Donning the signature orange t-shirts, these volunteers worked various stations to aid the participants and to help the event run smoothly. There was much to do, and the many helping hands available made the work all the more enjoyable for everyone.
“This was one of the best Free Laundry Day events ever! Only through the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the hard work of the team at Dirty Laundry Express, hundreds of people received clean clothes, food and fun, books for their children and the ‘community hug’ that LaundryCares always strives to deliver. Thank you to everyone involved in making this a huge success!,” said Brian Wallace, president and CEO of Coin Laundry Association. “It is important for the self-service laundry industry to give back and support the neighborhoods that do business with us each and every week.”
Event Details
LaundryCares’ Free Laundry Days intend to serve the communities that support self-serve laundries by allowing laundry owners the opportunity to give back. In Irvington at this event, the Foundation was able to serve well over 200 registered families which was more than 500 people in total. Subsequently, there were a total of 843 wash cycles counted which was 31,498 pounds of laundry cleaned and dried. In addition to free access to washers and dryers, visitors experienced an atmosphere of celebration including barbecue, cold drinks, a live DJ, a “bouncy house,” and games. Kids and adults alike were not only able to benefit from complimentary laundry, but an afternoon of food, fun and fellowship with sunny weather.
Children’s Literacy at the Event
One of the highlights of the event (and a hallmark of Free Laundry Day events) came from a partnership with Too Small to Fail. This organization, along with LaundryCares, presented the children attending with the opportunity to read and participate in story time. Members of Too Small to Fail entertained and educated the little ones with storytelling, reading and singing activities. These activities promoted the concept of “Wash Time Is Talk Time,” a literacy and family program intended to foster engagement of children with reading and family discussion at the laundromat.
Most importantly, every child went home with free books to support their literacy development.
Photo Gallery
Here are just a few images that capture the festivities of the day:
Many Thanks
The LaundryCares Foundation wishes to thank all of the volunteers, the participating families, Too Small to Fail, and all of the vendors who helped to make this day wonderful.
LaundryCares would especially like to thank Kevin Adkins and Atira Turner, the owners of Dirty Laundry Express for the use of their facilities and equipment and their generosity. Additionally, many thanks are to be given to Brian Grell and Eastern Funding for their tireless support in coordinating the event as well as to Dennis Diaz of Spynr, Inc. for promoting the organization and this event. Furthermore, the Foundation wishes to express its gratitude to our in-kind sponsors Spector Textiles and Vend-Rite. Finally, LaundryCares would like to recognize our corporate sponsors, Eastern Funding, Whirlpool, and Dexter for their generous monetary donations.