orange sky laundry

Laundry Service of the Homeless Brings Rewards

@JudyEv (340019)

Rockingham, Australia

January 28, 2016 7:39am CST

Australia celebrates its 'birth' on January 26th, Australia Day, and a number of awards are made to a number of individuals who have excelled in various fields. One award I thought particularly uplifting Involved the winners of the Young Australian of the Year. For the first time, this was shared by two young men, Nic Marchesi and Lucas Patchett. These 21-year-old mates have been providing a free laundry service for the homeless since 2014. Calling themselves Orange Sky Laundry, they started off by loading an old van with a washing machine and dryer. They then set off to provide a laundry service for the homeless. There are now five vans in five Australian cities. Over 270 volunteers help keep the service going. The young men said their first customer had been a young man who had gone to a school near them and, some five to ten years previously, had done the same degree as Luc was doing. Because of some bad decisions he was now homeless. Besides giving their customers clean clothes, the people who run the mobile laundries also engaged the homeless in conversation, providing a few moments of companionship in a sometimes miserable existence.

23 people like this

23 responses

@fishtiger58 (29820)

• Momence, Illinois

28 Jan 16

What a wonderful thing. These 2 men deserve that award for their selfless acts. We need more people like this.

5 people like this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

It is such a worthwhile thing to do. Having clean clothes would raise a person's spirit so much.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jan 16

@fishtiger58 That is what these two young men thought.

1 person likes this

@fishtiger58 (29820)

• Momence, Illinois

29 Jan 16

@JudyEv The homeless are lucky to have them. Yup being clean is a basic human right me thinks.

1 person likes this

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@LadyDuck (471506)

• Switzerland

28 Jan 16

This is a great story. They are doing a great service to the homeless, but they surely have expenses. Do they have donations or people helping them?

3 people like this

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@LadyDuck (471506)

• Switzerland

29 Jan 16

@JudyEv It's a shame, the government should help people like them.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jan 16

@LadyDuck Our government is cutting costs wherever it can. Mental health and homelessness are two that are facing cuts in aid.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

I think they must fund-raise and volunteers run the vans in the other cities. They aren't funded by any government agency.

2 people like this

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@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

28 Jan 16

Those young men are doing a wonderful service and they should be commended for this. Everyone needs to feel clean and with clean clothing they will feel better about themselves. I am glad to hear they received a reward and their service is growing.

3 people like this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

It's such a simple idea in a way but no-one has thought of it before.

1 person likes this

@Marcyaz (35316)

• United States

29 Jan 16

@JudyEv It's ideas like these that are needed and they certainly thought of something no one else had.

1 person likes this

@jaboUK (64354)

• United Kingdom

28 Jan 16

What a lovely story. They must incur some expenses, so are they funded in any way?

3 people like this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

I guess there's not too much expense but as far as I know they fund-raise and have volunteer help. They're not funded by any government agencies.

1 person likes this

Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317041)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

28 Jan 16

That is a wonderful thing they are doing. I'm glad they got the well-deserved award.

2 people like this

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Valerie J. Routhieaux

@just4him (317041)

• Green Bay, Wisconsin

28 Jan 16

@JudyEv So true.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

It's a great service, isn't it? Just because you're homeless doesn't necessarily mean you choose to be dirty.

1 person likes this

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@AnneEJ (4917)

• Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, Quebec

28 Jan 16

What a wonderful service they are providing. I pray the Lord will bless them abundantly for their compassion

3 people like this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

They deserve some really great karma, don't they?

@kaka135 (14931)

• Malaysia

28 Jan 16

The two young guys really deserve the award!

It's good to hear there are so many helpful and kind people out there to make the world more beautiful.

1 person likes this

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@kaka135 (14931)

• Malaysia

2 Feb 16

@JudyEv Yes, I think some of the homeless people really wish to talk to someone, and these young men are so kind to do so.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

It's great, isn't it? And they have time to talk to the men as well. It doesn't take much before a person becomes homeless nowadays.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

3 Feb 16

@kaka135 I think having a chat with someone would be nearly as important as having clean clothes - perhaps more so.

1 person likes this

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@Hatley (163776)

• Garden Grove, California

29 Jan 16

good news lo ve to hear these young men are hel ping the h omeless o clean clothes god love them and bless them too

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jan 16

I'm sure God will watch over them, Patsie. Such generous young men - it does your heart good to hear stories like this.

@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

29 Jan 16

That was so nice of those young people . to give free laundry to the homeless. And talking to them while doing the laundry can really hep them alleviate whatever problem they may have by merely having someone listen to them .

1 person likes this

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@SIMPLYD (90722)

• Philippines

29 Jan 16

@JudyEv Yes, just by listening to their problems is already helping them alleviate their sad state in life.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jan 16

I can imagine being able to talk to a sympathetic person would mean a great deal to these people.

1 person likes this

@grandbrix (81)

• Philippines

29 Jan 16

The free laundry is a relief and the casual conversation is a refresher.

1 person likes this

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@silvermist (19702)

• India

24 Aug 16

@JudyEv Some people are gifted that way.They come up with ideas for helping people which never occurred to others.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 Aug 16

That's very true. Some are able to think 'outside the box'. They keep things simple and work around problems till they get where they want to go.

1 person likes this

Belle Starr (Iz)

@BelleStarr (61102)

• United States

29 Jan 16

What a great idea, the homeless have so few of the things that most of us take for granted like clean clothing.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jan 16

In these hard times not all the homeless are addicts or drunks. It would mean so much to many to be able to have clean clothes. It's a wonderful idea.

1 person likes this

Anne Marie Guyer

@LeaPea2417 (37353)

• Toccoa, Georgia

28 Jan 16

That is a wonderful service they are providing!

2 people like this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

Such a simple thing in a way but powerful too.

@Morleyhunt (21744)

• Canada

29 Jan 16

That would be a valuable, yet practical service to provide for the homeless.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jan 16

Just because they are down on their luck and homeless doesn't necessarily mean they wouldn't prefer clean clothes if they had the option.

@grandbrix (81)

• Philippines

29 Jan 16

a great display of compassion and mercy to the poor, a very noble act indeed and engaging them in conversation is even more nobler as they are sharing God's love.Very deserving awards for the duo.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

29 Jan 16

It's marvellous, isn't it? And a very just reward for their generous work.

1 person likes this

@grandbrix (81)

• Philippines

29 Jan 16

@JudyEv on top of their rewards on earth, am sure they also have their heavenly rewards for God saw what they did.

1 person likes this

Arthur Chappell

@arthurchappell (44998)

• Preston, England

28 Jan 16

what a fabulous service - their award is much deserved

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

It's simple really but quite powerful. How much better the homeless would feel with clean clothes.

@Juliaacv (51193)

• Canada

28 Jan 16

What a necessary and unselfish act of kindness! Good for them.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

It's great, isn't it? The 'conversation' with the people is also important.

1 person likes this

@fawkes62 (1276)

• United States

28 Jan 16

That sounds like a very good cause to give an award to. It's nice to hear about people that are helping those that need it.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

It would make a great difference to the self-esteem of the homeless.

1 person likes this

@PainsOnSlate (21852)

• Canada

28 Jan 16

I believe their work is very important. I love they turned it into a business to help the homeless.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

The homeless can often get a shower here or there but getting their clothes washed could be more difficult.

1 person likes this

@quarternoes (236)

• Indianapolis, Indiana

28 Jan 16

In America, this would be great, but free enterprise would upset the laundrymats around here. So sad. Glad o see somebody made a positive impact.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

I guess the homeless here aren't using laundromats but I understand what you're saying. Any new businesses here have to jump through numerous hoops sometimes.

@Ladypeace (2028)

• Singapore

28 Jan 16

An inspiring and meaningful post.Those lads are amazing, they give faith to humanity.

1 person likes this

@JudyEv (340019)

• Rockingham, Australia

28 Jan 16

It's a great idea. I'm glad they won some recognition.

1 person likes this