REDMOND, OR -- A small group of volunteers has quietly provided over 2500 loads of clean laundry to Redmond families over the past four years. The Laundry Love project started in Redmond in 2010 when Angela Bacuyani and Nicky Merritt saw how wearing dirty clothes effected kids in their local schools. "I think that society, we just judge everyone by how they look and smell." Bacuyani says, "Clean clothes make us feel good about ourselves. It helps individuals with getting jobs and interviewing and that kind of thing, that they're able to wear clean clothes." On the 10th of each month, a small group of volunteers provides laundry soap, dryer sheets, quarters, snacks and conversation to families. Bacuyani says often, it's the only chance they get to wash their laundry.
Bacuyani and her troupe of volunteers are excited about a new partnership with Cathy's Eco-Laundromat in Redmond. "The owner has generously offered to match any money we spend there each month. And, we usually spend close to $200 per month, so he's going to be paying for half of that. The facility is beautiful, the machines look like they work well - they're super fast and efficient." She says the project if funded by donations, with area churches providing many of the volunteers.
To celebrate their fourth anniversary this month, Laundry Love Redmond will offer cake and other treats Monday evening. Cathy's Eco-Laundromat is located on Highway 97, across from Safeway. Laundry Love provides services on the 10th of each month, from 6-8 p.m.
