Loads of Love Project scheduled for Valentine’s Weekend in Maryville

Maryville Mayor Wayne White, far left, and Police Chief Tony Manley, second from right, are among the village officials and Kiwanis members who will be doing lots of other people’s laundry on Feb. 14 and 15. (photo courtesy of Maryville Kiwanis)

By Tribune Staff • Maryville, IL – The Maryville Kiwanis Club is gearing up for their annual Loads of Love project.

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14 and Sunday Feb. 15 and running until 4 p.m. those days, members of the club will be on hand at the Sudz Wash at 112 W Perry St. in Maryville to pay for patrons’ laundry expenses.

According to Wayne White, President of the club, Kiwanians will be on hand to provide quarters for the washers and dryers. He said laundry detergent and dryer sheets will also be supplied during the event. White said the first fifteen patrons visiting the laundry mat each day will receive a Valentine gift from the club that includes a bottle of Tide Detergent, a box of Bounce sheets and a PayDay candy bar. Each gift will include a message that says, “We hope this TIDES you over to your next PAYDAY and puts a BOUNCE in your step.  Happy Valentine’s Day from the Maryville Kiwanis Club.

When speaking with Deb Myers-Gaultney, treasurer for the club, the Loads of Love project is an annual project that many local residents look forward to each year.  “Some families bring items that they normally can’t afford to wash such as bedding and rugs.”  She said this year most of the project is being paid for by a $1,000 micro-grant received from the Kiwanis Children’s Fund.  “We look forward to serving the community each year by providing this service to the patrons visiting the laundry mat, and the patrons also look forward to this annual event.”