ST JAMES, Jamaica — Residents in St James are lauding the efforts of the Unicomer Group and Whirlpool for their assistance with a laundry day initiative at the Barnett Street Courts branch on Saturday.

More than 20 individuals turned up at the 10:00 am start to get their laundry washed in one of four 20KG impeller washers, the latest models, at the Courts location.

The beneficiaries could not hide their joy at the assistance received, as what was routine has become a challenge following the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which ravaged electricity and water networks in the parish.

“I’m by the flooded area, Westgreen, Catherine Hall, and I saw it in a group and it’s wonderful because for us to be washing all the time, it is a challenge,” Cordella Brown told Observer Online.

“I almost lost my hand in the hurricane, I had to go to the doctor, so when I see them saying you guys can come wash and so here, they provide the soap and everything, I said, ‘Wow, this is marvellous,” she declared. “This is such a good idea for everybody to help because we all need help and we appreciate it.”

Residents in the area are still going to springs and other open sources to wash as the utility providers work to get water and electricity access back to communities.

Hendon Norwood resident Roneika Campbell shared how she felt about the initiative as well.

“It does help and it is very appreciated. I’m from Hendon Norwood and there is no water, no light and so this is definitely appreciated,” she declared.

“With school being reopened, that’s another bonus where we are able to get our children’s clothes washed and have them prepared to go to school, so definitely, it’s a huge help, and we do say thank you to Courts,” she continued.

For fellow Norwood resident, Amoy Smith, the gesture is even more thoughtful because they don’t have to bring anything other than their laundry.

“I want to thank Courts and Whirlpool. This initiative was very organised, a lot of thought was put into this. We’ve come and don’t even have to provide any soap, all we have to do is bring the clothes,” she said.

“Even as simple as the garbage bags to take the clothes when finished, they have been provided,” she explained.

She said that this move will certainly influence her next move when her utilities are returned.

“Thanks for this thoughtful gesture, we really appreciate it, everything was provided and based on how good the machine washes my clothes today, I am coming back to buy one when I get light,” she declared.

She, however, used the opportunity to make an appeal to the National Water Commission for water to be returned to where she resides.

“We don’t have any water or light where I live, I live in Sammy Drive, Norwood to be exact, and so I want to take this opportunity to reach out to the National Water Commission, especially because while I can do without the light, I can’t do without the water,” she appealed.

The initiative saw two major players in laundry equipment, Courts and Whirlpool, come together and make the concept a reality.

According to a trade professional at Whirlpool, Kera Swaby, it was about giving back to the community during a challenging time.

“Based on what happened with Hurricane Melissa, Courts and Whirlpool partnered to give back to the communities [with] laundry day,” she said. “As you all know Whirlpool is a household name so it’s like second nature for Whirlpool to give back and so partnering with Courts, where Courts is a household name as well, we see the devastation that the hurricane brought on and we just wanted to put some smiles and just provide a gentle gesture to the community,” she said.