Texas Laundromat Chain Champions the LaundryCares Message
The LaundryCares Foundation’s early childhood literacy initiative – and its accompanying Family Read, Play & Learn Centers – seem tailor-made for Laundry Luv.
In fact, the Texas-based company with laundromat locations in Abilene and San Angelo boasts literacy-rich RPL learning spaces at all three of its stores.
“Our business has a reputation for being supportive of all community efforts,” said Laundry Luv’s Schuyler Williamson. “We love all people, and we look for opportunities to support our community’s less fortunate. When you talk about helping and continuing to show how you help, opportunities arise. I’d say we are on the community’s list of businesses to reach out to when there is a need.”
No doubt, Laundry Luv’s work with LaundryCares has placed it at or near the top of that list.
“Installing a Family Read, Play & Learn space in our stores has impacted the business and its operations in a few ways,” Williamson explained. “First, it has made the stores more welcoming to families. Parents are able to bring their children to the store and know that the kids will have something to do beyond watching television or staring at a phone. It also enables the parents to focus on their laundry chore, with the peace of mind that their children are in a safe, learning-friendly space.
“In addition, for our team, the RPL space keeps our values front of mind. The team is encouraged to allow kids to take home books they love most and to be another added set of eyes for parents. The mindset of creating an environment that is caring and helpful – and that makes a chore a luxury – is solidified by having an RPL space in both of our stores.”
Williamson estimated that tens of thousands of families and children have benefitted from the literacy- and learning-focused areas at Laundry Luv’s locations. However, he was quick to point out that his company has reaped big rewards as well.
“The RPL centers have helped our business – tangibly – through referrals, five-star online reviews, and increased business in general,” he noted. “Intangibly, they have further engrained our company culture on the team – they are a constant reminder of our values.”
With so many children being impacted by the dedicated learning spaces at Laundry Luv, it’s nearly impossible to choose just one or two specific anecdotes about how kids have been positively affected by the literacy program. But, for Williamson, that’s not the point.
“The main focus should be an accumulation of daily victories,” he said. “No one single story is going to blow anyone away. It’s the tens of thousands of small victories that should be the focus. Many of these individuals need security in their lives – and we can provide some of that.”
Another way Laundry Luv will be giving back to the community and the local residents who support the business will be through an upcoming Free Laundry Day at its Abilene location in December.
“It will be a laundry and literacy party!” Williamson said. “We intend to gift people with so many things – laundry, books and many other items that our customers might never be able to prioritize spending their money on. It will be a lot of fun – with games, food, music and other entertainment.
“Whether installing a Read, Play & Learn Center in your laundromat or hosting a Free Laundry Day event, it’s an investment in people,” he added. “You win business by showing you care. It gives your business a great story to tell, and it encourages others to do the right thing through your example.”
For more information about the LaundryCares Foundation, its programs for store owners and how to get involved, contact Dan Naumann at: [email protected]; or visit the organization’s website at: www.laundrycares.org.
