Pour Detergent, Cycle with Love: Local Women Donate Loads of Laundry

They come bearing quarters, dryer sheets, detergent, and donuts.

The last Wednesday of each month, a group of women from New Life Church of Oak Forest scrounge up all the quarters they can find and head to Modern Way Cleaners. As customers come in toting duffels of laundry, the women offer to cover the cost. They even dole out detergent and dryer sheets.

"Just a little way to show compassion to people. ... Just a random act of kindness," said New Life member Lety Campos. "We're looking for ways to help the community, ways to give back."

The women are part of a Bible study group at New Life who brainstorm ways to give back, including making blankets for the homeless.

Church member Carol Hill said customers at Modern Way seemed caught off-guard by the act.

"One lady was overwhelmed at how I was so bold to approach her," Hill said. "People need this, they like when people go out of their way to help them."

The money comes from their own pockets, couches, piggy-banks, change trays and purses, Campos said. Some customers are flustered and won't accept.

St. Damian parishioner Mary Balsam came ready with roughly $15 in quarters for her laundry—and couldn't accept the group's generosity. But she recognized and appreciated the effort as akin to her own church's work. 

"We're very charitable, and I know this church is, too," Balsam said. "You help where you go to church."

Similar to her own church, Balsam said, New Life does not base charity on religious affiliation.

"Religion is no barrier," Balsam said.

As she waited for her clothes to dry, Balsam jingled her bag of quarters.

"I have $15 in quarters," she said. "Whatever I have left, I'll give to them."