Columbia/Hellam/Wrightsville
townlively.com
JANUARY 11, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXIII • NO 46
Helpers Wanted Experience Not Necessary BY ANN MEAD ASH
Some of the items on the giving table at Lucy’s Laundry
Giving To Others ’m not rich, but I’m rich in love,” said Dawn Boll, who owns Lucy’s Laundry in Hellam with her husband, Joe. “If I can share something with others, I will share it.” With that philosophy in mind, the couple set up a “giving table” in the laundromat, located at the rear of 2 W. Market St, Hellam, in December. They encouraged people to donate items for others to give as Christmas gifts, and the project took off from there. “This is a very giving community and a loving community,” Dawn said. “It’s been a huge hit.” Dawn got the idea for the table, which has since expanded to several shelves, after a friend gave her an
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item to donate at a local giveaway drawing. “My husband said, ‘Why don’t we give it away at Lucy’s?’” Dawn recalled. “We set up a table and invited people from the community to give and take items.” Throughout the month of December, community members donated games, new toys, dolls and other gifts for children, as well as household goods, paper products and supplies for pets. Lucy’s Laundry is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week year-round, so it’s easy for people to come in to donate an item or pick up something. “It’s amazing to see all the people who come in,” Dawn shared. “Moms come in and bring their kid to pick up a gift, or they bring their kid to donate a gift. There have
been people in here every day. If they’re not dropping items off, they’re taking an item. I had somebody come in on Christmas Eve at 10 p.m. and get something off the table.” She emphasized that the table is for everyone, and she’s been happily surprised that people have only taken what they needed. “This is a no-judgment zone. If you need something, you can come and get it,” she remarked. “I’ve never had anyone come in and take it all. It’s been beautiful.” Although she planned to keep the giving station up only through the holidays, it was so well received, Dawn hopes to continue it indefinitely. “I’ve had numerous people say, ‘You have to keep this going,’”
she commented, noting that she plans to do specific drives geared toward holidays like Easter while continuing to offer necessities throughout the year. “I will have it set up for paper products - toilet paper, paper towels, tissues - anything you can’t purchase with food stamps.” Not only does she hope people will come in for what they need, but she also encourages donations. “If you can donate, pick up something like a bottle of dish detergent. It’s not super expensive, but it can really help somebody,” she said. “There is a real need in our community, and there are also so many generous people in our community. We love this community, and we love helping people.”
***Farm Market is CLOSED (now thru Jan. 15) REOPEN Mon., Jan. 16
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OPEN Mon.-Sat. 8-6 ALL WINTER! POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER JAN. 11, 2023
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BY CATHY MOLITORIS
See Helpers pg 2
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Others Who Understand . .3 Library System Issues Challenge . . . . . . .4 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Business Directory . . . . . .8 House Of Worship . . . . . . .8
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Dawn and Joe Boll in Lucy’s Laundry
When Keith Cotton, director of outreach with Servants Inc., looks for volunteers, carpentry, HVAC, and plumbing skills are not necessarily a requirement. “Physical (home) repairs are important, but we also put an emphasis on building relationships,” said Cotton of Servants Inc., an organization that performs home repairs and construction for those in need. “I think one of the things a lot of our clients are facing, in addition to the physical hardship of needing home repairs, is loneliness,” Cotton pointed out, adding that many clients are widowed people or single mothers. “(They are) people who need support in general,” said Cotton. “For that reason, the organization’s volunteer application asks candidates to rate their skill levels, but Cotton commented that this is not meant to exclude anyone. “It just gives us a better idea where