Tonight was not our usual laundry event. Last week the owner of Carousel asked us to cancel events until she has more equipment in service. We don't know if repairs have been scheduled or when we might be able to resume events at Carousel. We will let you know as soon as we have more information.
Although we couldn't do laundry for our neighbors in need, we showed up to provide personal care resources, hot drinks, and human connection. Did you know that you can make someone's day 💯 better when you have a full-size bottle of body wash to give them? True story. Also, handmade pillow cases and drawstring bags? They put a smile on people's faces like you wouldn't believe...because someone cared enough to make and donate those things...just for them.
Thanks to a very generous donation by Starbucks - Oregon City we were able to offer coffee and hot chocolate to our neighbors. Assumptions about what we think people need were thrown out the window when H poured half and half into her cup and asked, "Is that milk? CAN I DRINK IT? I can't tell you the last time I had milk!" Yes, friend, you can drink as much as you want. ❤️
Another neighbor shared with us that she recently found answers to many of the health issues she has struggled with for forty years. The sense of relief she felt changed her entire countenance.😊
After hearing us talk at an Optimist club meeting last month, one member went home and called his siblings to ask if any of them ever remembered not having clean clothes. None of them could. He couldn't shake the thought of kids in our community not having clean clothes, and tonight he and his wife showed up to learn more about what we do and to offer their help. 🙌
Gut wrenching doesn't begin to describe how it felt telling our friends who came tonight that we could not go in and do their laundry. One person rode a bike all the way from High Rocks to Carousel, carrying bags of clothing. Having only one laundromat in Oregon City is not nearly sufficient to serve our population of more than 36,000 people. Something. Needs. To. Change.
Clean clothes matter. People matter. Holding monthly laundry events in Oregon City is just the tip of the iceberg for LoveOne, friends. Please consider supporting us as we continue to grow and serve families and individuals in need.
And thank you to everyone who helped spread the word about the change in date and location of this month's event! If you could use help with your laundry, please come see us on Thursday, November 8 from 6-8 p.m. at QED Laundry in Milwaukie.