There is no better feeling in the world than the feeling you get after helping someone in need — except when you help countless someones. I was recently fortunate enough to join forces with some local distributors, who are also fellow IEHA members, to do just that.

Roughly 35 people from NASSCO, San-A-Care and Facility Cleaning Decisions magazine, took part in our local “Operation Clean Sweep.” The beneficiary was Milwaukee’s only daytime refuge and resource center, Repairers of the Breach. Our group spent the day doing what we do best — dusting, washing walls and surfaces, disinfecting restrooms, installing fixtures and cleaning floors. I was personally handed a motor scrubber and assigned floor/baseboard duty.

After four hours of team cleaning and sorting donations (clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, as well as cleaning products and equipment to help maintain cleanliness), the three-story shelter was ready to welcome guests once again.

Working together to help this facility in need was made that much better because it allowed me to work side-by-side with fantastic industry professionals. It also brought to light events like this going on behind the scenes all around the country.

One loyal reader told me that they work with other IEHA chapter members to clean a local women’s shelter around the holidays. Another wrote saying members from their department take a few hours twice a year to clean a food pantry in their area.

Speaking from experience, it feels great to give back and I encourage all of you to look for or create a program like this in your area.

To learn more about the event, and/or Repairers of the Breach, visit www.cleanlink.com/18404news. For photos from the event, visit the albums at www.facebook.com/FacilityCleaning.




POSTED ON: 7/2/2015