More photos from Loads of Change Christmas event

We have yet more photos to share from our wonderful laundromat Christmas Dec. 17 for Loads of Change.

We were able to help a few unhoused people out with propane, a tent and sleeping pad... some gas money for those sleeping in their cars.... There really is a need for kindness now.

Lion Ray McMahon shows up every month.

One of our clients, Tonya, with gifts for her and her boys

Lion Pat Rae

Lion Dennis Tesch puts quarters in a big washer.

 

Photo dump of cookie fundraiser and Loads of Change Christmas event

Lions have been busy during this holiday season. Here are photos from a couple of recent events.

Poulsbo Evening Pride Branch Club's fundraiser, decorating Christmas cookies, was a fun event complete with all kinds of sprinkles, apple cider and cocoa with marshmellows! Above, Poulsbo Lions Beth Olsen and her daughter, Gretchen Dunmire, try out different decorating techniques.

Liz asked for leggings and received a 3-pack! She was happy.

Poulsbo Lion Lee Metcalf typically shows up the 3rd Wednesday of every month to volunteer a couple of hours just inserting quarters into dryers.

Sandy asked only for a mug. And she said she loved the red color, the size, EVERYTHING. Sometimes it's the simplest things that make people happy.
 

Favorite thing: Helping the unhoused and needy with clean laundry

We started Loads of Change in 2018 on the third Wednesday of every month and it's been going strong ever since.

 

Loads of Change Christmas event features pizza, presents and clean laundry, of course!

It was a magical night in the Village Laundromat. Well, not really. After all, it's a laundromat.

But Poulsbo Lions brought wrapped presents for some of our Loads of Change clients who'd signed up for things they needed last month (for many it's their only Christmas present), Ray bought 10 pizzas that were quickly devoured, Sharmon dropped by with several packages of cookies and mozzarella cheese sticks, we had 48 pairs of thermal socks, along with body wipes, toothbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels and many other items.

Many of our unhoused and low-income clients were blessed with propane and Safeway gift cards (for gas or groceries). By the end of the night, we'd gone through $930 ($330 was donations) for 40 people doing laundry for 64, washed 200 loads and dried 142.

Many thanks to our Lion volunteers - Ray McMahon, Ken Hatton, Pat Rae, Lee Metcalf, Dennis Deitch, Dennis Tesch and Terry Blais. We'll see you in the New Year!

Kathy loved her new sheet set.

Mariah was happy with her gift.

McQ felt happy with her heated lap blanket.

 

Two more sleeps till Loads of Change Christmas event

 

Only two more sleeps till we make clean laundry happen.

Our Christmas Loads of Change is in one week

 

Our next Loads of Change is coming up - Weds., Dec. 17. It's a special one for many who came last month because we have some goodies (after all, Christmas is coming up!).

 

Donations are always welcome - anything from laundry detergent pods to fabric softener and big trash bags for clean clothes.

 

This month, we'll have thermal socks, toothbrushes/toothpaste and soap to hand out among other things. 

 

Donations may be brought to the laundromat on Wednesday when we're there, or taken to Dennis Deitch at John L. Scott Real Estate on 10th Avenue in Poulsbo. Thanks!

Huge cost for Loads of Change

We had a busy and expensive Loads of Change yesterday at The Village Laundromat.

We spent $797.50 (includes $32.50 in Lion donations) helping 30 people do laundry for 54.

We washed 115 loads and dried 132. Many thanks to Lion volunteers Ray McMahon , Lee Metcalf, Ken Hatton, Dennis Tesch, Dennis Deitch, Michele Grenier, and Terry Blais.

 

Lions also provided water, homemade muffins and other snacks, gloves, toothbrushes/toothpaste, body and wet wipes, and more.

 

Next month is our Christmas give. We're looking for knit hats. Contact Terry here if you have any to donate. If you'd like to support our clean laundry effort, we happily accept donations at PayPal (poulsbolions@gmail.com).

 

Clean laundry day coming up fast

 Heads up! Clean laundry day for unhoused/needy individuals is coming up Weds., Nov. 19.

 

Clean laundry success with candy and donations

 

We had a successful and busy Loads of Change today with lots of new faces and some early Halloween candy. We spent $721.25 (which includes individual Lion donations of $26, as well as a couple of donations of quarters totaling $15.25 from people at the laundromat!), helped 28 people do laundry for 59 people. That was 166 washing machine loads and 115 dryer loads. 

Many thanks to our Kingston Cares lady for her donation of laundry pods and Tide sink washing kits, as well as Lion Pat Rae for a big roll of trash bags, and to Lion Ray McMahon for LOTS of candy.

 

Special thanks to Lions Ray, Michele Grenier, Lee Metcalf, Pat, Ken Hatton, Dennis Tesch and Terry Blais for their volunteer hours.

 

To donate to Loads of Change, please use the QR code provided:

#loadsofchange #poulsbolions #weserve #serviceproject #poulsbo #poulsbowa #cleanlaundry #fortheunhoused

 

Coming up next Wednesday, Oct. 15

 

43 unhoused and needy individuals get help with Loads of Change

 

At our Sept. 17 Loads of Change, we spent $535.50 serving 43 people with 78 loads of wash and 78 loads in the dryers. Many thanks to Poulsbo Lions Ray McMahon, Terry

 

Right now, we could use vinegar and large trash bags (some of the unhoused clients put their clean clothes/bedding into these). This is Poulsbo Lions Club's biggest service project. Thanks!

Clean laundry day is tomorrow!

Happening tomorrow (Weds., Sept. 17) from 2-6 pm at the Village Laundromat on 7th Avenue NW, Poulsbo.

 

Wanted: Group to help with Loads of Change

 

Our clean laundry program has grown! Poulsbo Lions are spending $600-$700 a month on our Loads of Change service project and could use some help.

 

We'll be starting our 7th year of Loads of Change this October. It's not unusual for us to get some donations at the laundromat of quarters, $20-$40 cash, laundry pods, toiletries and body wipes. What we can truly use is more cash - either at the laundromat or via Paypal (poulsbolions@gmail.com) or by check (see the flyer below).

 

 

Additionally, we'd love for another group - civic, church, etc. - to offer a program similar to this maybe once a month so there are 2 dates and times to choose from. It's a dream!

 

 

59 unhoused and needy individuals get help with laundry

 

Well, we managed to spend a whopping $767.30 at Loads of Change yesterday, helping 59 people with 187 loads of wash and 117 dryer loads. We kept those machines hoppin'!

 

Donations are EVERYTHING! We were blessed with a couple handfuls of quarters, laundry detergent and body wipes, and a check for $100. Everything is truly appreciated! (Thanks again, Brooklyn, for the gorgeous flowers!)

 

We help people who are unhoused, living in their cars, and who just need a helping hand. If you're inclined to donate, physical items may be dropped off at John L. Scott Real Estate on 10th Avenue, Poulsbo, attn: Dennis Deitch. Online, you can use poulsbolions@gmail.com for PayPal donations; and if you need to mail a check, please write it to Poulsbo Lions Club, PO Box 1244, Poulsbo, WA 98370 (Loads of Change noted on the check please).

 

Feel free to use the QR code to donate too! And thanks so much.

 

 

Laundry Day is Aug. 20

 It's clean laundry day this Weds., Aug. 20, from 2-6 pm!

 

Steve's sale brings in $650 for Loads of Change service project

 

Remember Lion Steve's moving sale? Well, he contributed $650 to our Loads of Change program, which helps the unhoused and low-income with their laundry every month! Thanks Steve!!!

 

If you'd like to make a donation, we accept PayPal (poulsbolions@gmail.com), checks (PO Box 1244, Poulsbo WA 98370 and items like big trash bags, vinegar and fabric softener dropped off Attn: Dennis Deitch, John L. Scott Real Estate, 10th Ave., Poulsbo).

 

Hot weather for Loads of Change this week

It's gonna be toasty tomorrow during our monthly clean laundry day! So bring a beverage and a good attitude because the laundromat is NOT air conditioned! As usual, several Poulsbo Lions will be on hand to put in quarters. Just make sure your last load of wash has been started by 5:30 if you want us to cover the dryer cost.

 

Lion's moving sale benefits Loads of Change

We're sad to see Lion Steve Calhoun leaving, but we're helping him with his Moving Far Away Sale today and tomorrow. Come on by and see if there are some items you can't live without.

 

Moving sale earns laundry money

Our very own Lion Steve is moving far, far away and donating a portion of his Moving Far Away Sale to our Loads of Change laundry project for the unhoused and needy. He's got some great stuff to sell! Just remember NOT to show up early.

 

Another successful wash day

 

Here are June's Loads of Change numbers:

We spent $730 ($10 in Lion donations) serving 28 people who washed 187 loads and dried 115 loads for 55 people.

Many thanks to Lions Ray and Ria McMahon, Ken Hatton, Lee Metcalf, Dennis Tesch, Pat Rae and Terry Blais for volunteering anywhere from 2-4+ hours.