The washers are spinning and the dryers are tumbling, but according to Logan volunteer Darryl Simpson the true impact of Orange Sky happens in the six orange chairs that are pulled out every Friday night at Webley Plaza.
“It is here where our volunteers and friends are able to connect through genuine conversation – sometimes they chat about the weather, other times it’s about what happened in the league over the weekend,” he said.
“Regardless of the topic, it’s providing a positive connection back to the community for a person doing it tough.”
Mr Simpson has volunteered on that patch for the last four and a half years.
‘The Logan Legends’, as he likes to call them, is the Logan branch of Orange Sky. They offer a free washing and drying service to the community.
His latest initiative is the Sudsy Challenge from September 3 to 5. For those three days he will wear the same clothes to raise funds and awareness for homelessness.
“The Sudsy Challenge is to cover the cost of running that service,” he said.
The average cost of each wash is roughly $6, and they only have the capacity to do five washes each night.
Mr Simpson’s fundraiser is sitting just shy of his $750 goal. If he gets there, that could easily guarantee another 125 washes for his Logan Legends community.
“It’s a real eye opener to what some people have to go through,” Mr Simpson said.
“They are treated as if they don’t exist.”
ABS data from 2016 revealed that 1,229 people in Logan experienced homelessness.
A study by Orange Sky found the issue is more prominent in millennials than it is in Generation X and the baby boomers.
Mr Simpson said the best way people can help is by getting involved in community groups.
“Talk to the homeless or join a volunteer group to help support them,” he said.
To help Mr Simpson’s Sudsy Challenge, go to https://www.thesudsychallenge.com/fundraisers/darrylsimpson
