Getting a big hand with the laundry

The Bradford family got a visit from Santa Suds. (provided photo)

Two local families celebrate Christmas early this week with the delivery to their homes of a new Whirlpool Cabrio top-load washer and high-efficiency dryer, according to a press release we received.

John and Christine Bradford were nominated for the washer-dryer giveaway by three of Christine’s fellow teachers at Robert Willis Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch. 

The Bradfords, parents of  four children, adopted four more children from foster care last August to keep a family of siblings from being separated. Doing laundry for a family of 10, their old machines were struggling to handle a minimum of four loads a day.

“This is the first time we’ve ever owned a new washer and dryer. We’ve always had used machines, and our current set is on its last legs,” Christine said. “This truly is a Christmas blessing."

The appliances were donated by Home-Tech, an air conditioning and major appliance sales and service provider, headquartered in Fort Myers. Home-Tech is in the process of opening a new Manatee  location on Lena Road in East Manatee.

“We are an employee-owned company, and our whole team gets excited about this day,” said Steve Marino, Home-Tech founder and president. “We are happy to donate these washer-dryer sets to families who need and deserve the assistance.”

Another happy family is that of Keith Evans, the single father of an 11-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. Evans had been struggling since his car broke down, forcing him to take the bus to work and rely on friends and neighbors to do errands, including going to the laundromat. A co-worker at Osprey Biotechnics nominated him for the Santa Suds giveaway.

“This is going to change our lives tremendously,” Keith said. “We really appreciate it, and will treasure this day forever.”

One more local family is scheduled to receive their free washer and dryer in January.

The Evans family with their new washer and dryer. (provided photo)