A Happy Day for Everyone
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director
Please note: At the time of the column's print deadline, final numbers were not yet available. During the event, we served 47 families and completed 474 loads of laundry, marking an increase in loads compared to previous events.
Something beautiful happened in our community again on September 13—a quiet but powerful act of generosity that made a big difference in many lives. While I wasn’t able to attend this most recent Pop-up Neighbor through Laundry event, I’ve had the privilege of attending others in the past, and I can tell you firsthand: these events are filled with joy, dignity, and heartfelt connection, one load of laundry at a time.
United Way Charlotte County (UWCC) is proud to participate in this uplifting event, which was made possible through the generous sponsorship of the Laundry Project, The Patterson Foundation, and the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading.
At this recent event, families were greeted with free laundry services, visits from Lizzy the Literacy Bus, food pantry items supplied by Harry Chapin Food Bank, and opportunities to connect with local resources like the Charlotte County Library and Health Department. Lizzy, a favorite among the kids, once again proved that literacy can be fun, accessible, and mobile. Meanwhile, the presence of trusted community partners ensured that families could walk away with not only clean clothes, but also with knowledge and access to resources that can help them long after the laundry is done.
This effort is about dignity and connection as much as it's about practical support. For families facing financial hardship, something as simple as clean laundry can relieve stress, restore confidence, and help kids show up to school ready to learn. These events are about more than clean clothes – they’re a reminder that no one is alone. As one neighbor shared, it was a true “blessing to the community”.
Two of our UWCC Board Members, Marcia Cullinan, Realtor Michael Saunders & Co. and Kristin Cardona, Edward Jones Financial Advisor were on-site to experience the event.
“The number of people working seven days a week really surprised me,” said Marcia Cullinan. “It’s expensive to do laundry—$6 a load for clothes, bedding, towels, uniforms. But this day was about more than laundry. It was about chatting with people, touching lives, and sharing moments. One little girl wrote ‘Happy Day!’ on the Literacy Bus chalkboard, and that’s exactly what it became—a happy day for everyone.”
“It was a pleasure to spend time with volunteers and community members,” added Kristin Cardona, Chair of the UWCC Board. “As a board, we’re committed to listening to our community. Events like this give us the chance to hear real needs—sometimes we can connect people to resources that already exist, and sometimes we learn about unmet needs we didn’t know were there.”
What makes these events extra special is their surprise nature. No fanfare or long lines—just a pop-up moment of kindness that meets people exactly where they are. And while this was the third such event in 2025, we’re not done yet. One more surprise Pop-up Neighbor through Laundry is coming this winter, continuing the tradition of unexpected generosity.
To our partners, our volunteers, and every smiling neighbor who walked away with warm, clean clothes—we thank you. This is what community looks like. For more information please visit: unitedwayccfl.org/Laundry
For more information about United Way Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community so all can thrive, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.