MEDINA, Ohio — It started as a conversation over coffee at Medina’s United Church of Christ. The topic a simple one: how to make sure local grade school kids have clean clothes.
“If I hadn’t had the coffee, I probably wouldn’t be involved in this,” Medina city councilman Bill Lamb said. “I had done the laundry before I went to church.”
That planted the seeds for Lamb and other community members to start the “Jackie Smith Laundry Program for Kids,” named after the woman who first brought the issue to Lamb’s attention.
“During that conversation, I said, I think we could put a simple program together which would be like a voucher program. Raise some funds and do it through Garfield School," Lamb said.
Now, Garfield School families in need can remain anonymous and receive $25 vouchers to North Court Laundry, as well as detergent donated from Drug Mart.
The organizers chose that school because 60% of students have some sort of economic hardship and are also on free and reduced lunch.
The benefits are proven. Washing machine makers Whirlpool created “Care Counts.” Through the program, it’s installing washing machines in schools across the country with low-income children. In just one year, 85% of high-risk elementary school students increased attendance and almost all did better in class. It’s results like these that the local program hopes to see.
“I have thought about it occasionally, there are kids going to school now who have to feel better about themselves simply because they have clean clothes,” Lamb said.
Rev. Luke Lindon is the pastor at Lamb’s church. Now his whole congregation is doing its part to keep the program going by raising money and spreading the word.
“We just want clean clothes for the kids who are educated in school," Lindon said. “To see that people have hearts, that they do love their neighbor. They might not be at church, but that’s okay. We still love them and we can still help as a community.”
Donation cups have been placed all around Medina square to help raise funds. Organizers hope to raise enough money to buy new washers and dryers for families in need to use around town.
This story is part of A Better Land, an ongoing series that investigates Northeast Ohio's deep-seated systemic problems. Additionally, it puts a spotlight on the community heroes fighting for positive change in Cleveland and throughout the region. If you have an idea for A Better Land story, tell us here.
