Free laundry service for storm victims

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. - The Red Cross is transitioning from emergency response to the recovery phase. A spokesperson for the Red Cross says they are now focusing efforts on volunteer-based community partnerships, helping those affected by last week's storm.

As part of that effort, free drop-off laundry service has been set up for storm victims.

A newly organized "drop off" laundry service is now available to residents of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Chesapeake whose ability to wash clothes was severely affected by the Nor’easter.

The service is being provided for free by the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, a member of the Virginia VOAD (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters), and is staffed by trained volunteers. Dry clean items do not apply.

The service will launder clothing, sheets, towels and lightweight blankets for those who are unable to wash their clothes because of the storm. Comforters and heavy items cannot be laundered. There is no guarantee that stains and other damages will be removed by the laundry unit but the articles will be cleaned using household washers and dryers.

Those affected are being asked to bring dirty clothing in bags and will need to fill out a registration/contact card. I.D. to verify that they reside in an affected area.

Locations:

Ocean View Baptist Church
9504 Selby Place (Ocean View area)
Norfolk, VA 23503

Intake Hours of Operation:

Friday, November 20, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Hours: 9 AM to 5 PM

Red Cross teams have delivered more than 4,000 meals, snacks and clean-up kits into the affected neighborhoods throughout Hampton Roads. They're also helping shelter families whose homes were destroyed or sustained major damage.

More than 120 trained Red Cross relief workers have been working the storm scene since November 12.