OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. — The Coin Laundry Association’s LaundryCares Foundation will host its next Free Laundry Day at Dirty Laundry Express, a newly opened self-service laundry serving New Jersey’s greater Irvington and Newark areas, on Thursday.
CLA is seeking volunteers and donations for the five-hour event, which will include free food, family activities and prizes. The store features more than 80 washers and 94 dryers.
“A single Laundromat can make such a difference wherever it is, which is why we’re very excited for both Dirty Laundry Express and the Irvington community,” says Jeff Gardner, LaundryCares chairperson. “We’re confident that the footprint this Laundromat will make in the area can greatly improve the daily lives of thousands of individuals.”
LaundryCares’ overall mission is to expand literacy and give back to communities that support self-service laundries.
More than 90 people turned out Feb. 8 for a Free Laundry Day hosted by Michael Finkelstein at his Laundry Land flagship store in Greenville, N.C. Dozens more turned out for a similar event in March at his Norfolk, Va., location.
The Huebsch® washer-extractors and tumble dryers at Laundry Land didn’t get much of a rest during the February event. Roughly 405 loads of laundry were washed and dried, according to Huebsch, while children enjoyed the free books that were handed out. Meanwhile, the store owner couldn’t have been happier.
“We’re targeting everyone in the community, but especially those who cannot afford to do their laundry,” says Finkelstein, who has been a supporter of the LaundryCares Free Laundry Days since they began and also serves as a foundation volunteer board member. “I think we have an excellent opportunity, through LaundryCares and the free laundry events, to turn our laundries into the conduit connecting those in need to outreach services in the community beyond just wash and dry cycles.”
Laundries interested in hosting a Free Laundry Day, or getting involved with LaundryCares, may contact CLA CEO Brian Wallace at 800-570-5629, [email protected].
Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].