ANACORTES, Wash. — A group of Anacortes volunteers is helping people without a washer and dryer at home offset the costs of doing laundry.
For Beth Irons, doing laundry isn't just a chore, it's a heavy financial load.
"My washer went out and I didn't know what to do," Beth said. "Having clean clothes is important."
Beth's washing machine is broken and the McDonald's worker can't afford to fix it or buy a new one. But at about $10 to wash and dry a single load of laundry in Anacortes, she can't really afford a laundromat either.
"They call Anacortes 'can't afford us'," Beth said with a laugh, "and there's a reason for that."
That is where a group of volunteers called "Laundry Love" comes in. Once per month they pay to do anyone's laundry.
"I live payday to payday, and this is one thing that's really helped me out," said Beth. "Just little things like having fresh sheets on my bed, that's one less worry for me to deal with. It's one less worry."
Doing a load of laundry at home will run you about $1.50. A laundromat can be nearly ten times that.
Using donations from the community, Laundry Love volunteers will go through about $300 in one, two-hour session. They meet the first Tuesday of every month at the Econo-Wash in Anacortes.
"We wanted to do this to show love for our neighbors," said volunteer Craig Weakley.
He points out there is no shortage of people in need but there is a shortage of programs like Laundry Love.
"We were surprised that KING 5 had to come all the way to Anacortes to do a story," said Craig. "We thought there would be more Laundry Loves closer to Seattle."
More than anything, the Laundry Love folks hope their work in Anacortes will inspire others to start programs in their communities.
"It's a blessing because they thought of something that no one else did," said Beth.
For her, it's about more than clean clothes - it's about dignity and respect.
"Everybody here is family," she said. "They don't make you feel bad about not being able to afford laundry. They welcome you with open arms. It's so nice."
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