Never underestimate small beginnings...LoveOne Molalla, you never cease to amaze me. 4 New volunteers tonight, 14 families/neighbors served, and well over 975 pounds of clean laundry!!! The place was packed!!! We had every machine stacked. One family shared that they passed by the first time when they saw the parking lot at Carol's Coin-op packed with people driving out and more driving in because they thought there wasn't room for them. Can I just say, we will always make room for you! So come by next month on Wednesday, January 23rd and if you see a packed parking lot - stop in and say hi! Come see what all the commotion is about because FREE LAUNDRY NIGHT with our neighbors and friends is what it's all about.
Tonight was more amazing than I ever could have hoped for. The amount of people and families coming in...two guys were digging for couch change to do their laundry before they arrived and realized what we were doing. One volunteer family went shopping for Casey to have new weather proof boots, socks, gloves and a hat. The grateful spirit that is in humans all over is amazing to watch. Before you know it you're seeing them watch our for each other, serve one another while being served. I only wish we could afford to do this weekly for people. Laundry and hot showers are such a gift for some neighbors. It really puts things into perspective.
We are learning the names of our neighbors, meeting new friends, helping serve each other, finding out what our neighbors' needs truly are. The biggest needs are gas cards, propane for heat, blankets, hand sanitizer, dish soap, more quarters for operating machines, hats, gloves and scarves.
If you are interested in volunteering, or would like to know more about helping out with an event night, please message us on our LoveOne Molalla Facebook page. We are currently taking group, businesses, and family volunteers for 2019. We are also looking for people who want to bring food or drinks on event nights for our neighbors - we do have guidelines to follow regarding food, so please contact us to learn more. We look forward to working with you and restoring hope and dignity back into our community through clean clothes.
Thank you to everyone who supports our laundry nights on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Carol's Coin-op on Main Street in Molalla. Your time, your donations, whatever it may be, never goes unnoticed or unappreciated. Thank you! I'm so looking forward to working with you and making this year of 2019 one for the books in our little big town! Have a happy and wonderful new year and may all your dreams come true!
Serving with you to restore hope,
Sarah Schoenborn