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Express Laundry Center Contributes to Local Community

Wisconsin store donates to ‘Pink Possible’ fund, launders stuffed animals for police program

OSHKOSH, Wis. — Oshkosh Express Laundry Center has been active in support of its local community through charitable giving and donation of its services.

It recently presented a $1,860 check to Aurora Health Care Foundation’s Oshkosh Pink Possible Breast Health Fund. The Pink Possible campaign, held throughout October each year, engages local businesses to raise money for Aurora Cancer Care breast cancer patients and their families.

Oshkosh Express Laundry Center donated the proceeds of 150 Pink Possible laundry bags and 5% of October sales to the cause, according to Manager Karen Cooley. Additionally, the full-service vended laundry initiated social media contests and a “Wear Pink” day to spark fundraising efforts.

Eleven businesses in the Oshkosh and Fond du Lac areas participated and helped raise more than $8,000. Put to good use, Pink Possible will help fund breast cancer patient services such as massage therapy, aromatherapy, wigs and prosthetics, according to Kate Salter, Aurora Health Care Foundation development coordinator.

“We are thrilled to be part of such a fantastic campaign and grateful to our customers for their support and business,” says Cooley. “In 2016, the American Cancer Society expects nearly 250,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer to be diagnosed in women. We wanted to help make a difference in the lives of these women by participating in Pink Possible.”

Neenah (Wis.) Police Department’s Stuffed Hugs program allows officers to give gently used, donated stuffed animals to area children, according to Stuart Zuehls, community liaison officer. Oshkosh Express Laundry Center recently laundered hundreds of stuffed animals using an entire row of double-load, high-speed washers with ozone injection to ensure they were properly cleaned and disinfected.

“We jumped onboard when we were approached by the Neenah P.D. to help out,” says Cooley. “We’ve got a row of washers that automatically inject ozone into every load to ensure thorough disinfection. Because our machines generate high extract speeds, we were able to wash and dry the toys in less than 45 minutes.”

“There are kids in our lobby every day due to child exchange, custody and abuse issues,” says Zuehls. “Thanks to our Stuffed Hugs program, we can give them a stuffed animal to brighten their day. Officers have had stuffed animals in the trunks of their police cars for years, as well. They give them out to children they see in need of them in the community.”

The fully attended Express Laundry Center offers customers a 60-minute wash/dry/fold, as well as conveniences that include “Drop & Shop” (wash/dry/fold service), “Load & Leave” and drop-off dry cleaning.

Oshkosh Express Laundry Center is owned by Continental Girbau Inc., a provider of vended, on-premise and industrial laundry equipment throughout North America. Continental is also based in Oshkosh.

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Oshkosh (Wis.) Express Laundry Center recently donated $1,860 to Aurora Health Care Foundation’s Oshkosh Pink Possible Breast Health Fund. Pictured are (from left) Manager Karen Cooley, President Mike Floyd, Aurora Health Care Foundation Development Coordinator Kate Salter, and Associate Missy Nygaard. (Photos: Oshkosh Express Laundry Center)

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Neenah (Wis.) Police Department’s Community Liaison Officer Stuart Zuehls (left) and Captain Edgardo Gonzalez pose with stuffed animals laundered by the Oshkosh Express Laundry Center.

Have a question or comment? E-mail our editor Bruce Beggs at [email protected].