Port Washington Boutique Offers Free Laundry For First Responders

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — A Port Washington social enterprise that employs people with autism is giving back to health care workers and first responders who are on the front lines of the new coronavirus outbreak by offering them clean, folded clothes.

Two weeks ago, Spectrum Suds began offering free laundry services to nurses, doctors, police officers and more at its brick-and-mortar site on lower Main Street, near the Town Dock. So far, a Suffolk County police officer and two health professionals from Northwell Health have taken advantage of the service, Lee Anne Vetrone, development manager for the business's parent nonprofit, Spectrum Designs Foundation, told Patch in a phone interview Tuesday. The organization oversees three social enterprises all dedicated to employing people with autism and keeping them active after they turn 21, when many social services cease. Vetrone said 75 percent of the workers are on the autism spectrum.

Spectrum Suds was designated an essential business by the state. While six people normally staff the business, a skeleton crew of two neuro-diverse workers are serving customers during the virus outbreak, which has infected more than 138,000 New Yorkers and led to more than 5,000 deaths as of Tuesday. The duo offers wash-and-fold services, and will pickup dirty laundry at customers' doors and drop it off once it's clean. They can handle up to 25 loads a day and average about 20 pounds of laundry per customer, the company said.

They're quick, too — turnaround time is just 24 hours.

Vetrone said the foundation wanted to show its appreciation to the community, which has supported the organization's three social enterprises: Spectrum Suds, Spectrum Bakes and Spectrum Designs. All proceeds at the trio go back into furthering its mission to help people on the autism spectrum through employment.

"We were trying to figure out as a small nonprofit how to give back," Vetrone said. "What could we do. The board got together and one of our board members said, 'How about we offer free laundry to first responders?'"

The service is offered to anyone and everyone on the front lines, including emergency medical technicians, firefighters and ambulance workers.

"The last thing you want to think about when you're coming home from three shifts on the front lines at a hospital or in the police force is, 'oh yeah, I have do my laundry,'" she said.

Vetrone added: "We thought if we could do this kindness and have folks come home to clean, folded laundry, that might give them an exhale and let them know they're not alone in this and that they're appreciated."

The service will be offered for the duration of the crisis. There is no maximum number of free loads per week for first responders. The free service is typically used once per week.

While Spectrum Suds is not asking people to prove their employment, they don't think people will abuse the service.

"We really want to be of service in the best way we could and see how it took off," Vetrone said.

She expects more people will use the service now with more publicity, outreach and word-of-mouth. The service is available to people in Port Washington, Manhasset, Roslyn and Great Neck. Those interested should fill out a form on Spectrum Suds website.