This time of year, we are called to think of those for whom Christmas is difficult, for those who find the season more about loss than giving, more about heartache than joy. I think as we age, we become more aware of those whose Christmas spirit has drained away. The consumerism that Christmas has become doesn’t always allow enough time for thinking of each other in terms of giving of ourselves rather than something wrapped up in pretty paper and ribbon. This isn’t true for everyone and some of us give for others all year long, not only at Christmas.
Wade Milyard is one of those year-round givers. Wade was a canine officer for the Frederick, Maryland, police department for more than two decades. In 2024, he was attending a domestic dispute call at a homeless camp. As he talked to those living in the encampment, a question came to him out of nowhere, just popped into his head, a question that had no bearing on what he was dealing with. “Where do you do your laundry?” Wade asked one couple. The man pointed to a nearby stream of muddy water and said, “In the creek.” A light went on for Wade and the rest is, as they say, history.
Wade retired from the police force at age forty-four and he had a plan. He wanted to continue helping people, to be of service and that’s just what he did. Using his own money and donations, he repurposed a former police activities bus with washers and dryers to offer a mobile laundry service for the homeless. He called it “Fresh Step Laundry.”
Steve Hartman, one of my heroes, has been reporting on “good stories” for decades, shining the light on the positive side of the human experience, on those making a difference. Wade’s laundry service was one of those stories Steve shared this past November. In the interview, Steve asked Wade why he chose laundry. The answer was simple – to help the homeless maintain their dignity. It’s a small but valuable service Wade offers to others, and he is happy with his new sense of purpose, operating his van three days a week, providing a no-cost laundry service for those living without means to wash their clothes. He does dozens of loads of laundry each week. Clean clothes help those individuals feel better about themselves, to have confidence when showing up for job interviews or for medical appointments. It is a fundamental need we all have. One woman Wade helped spoke to Steve, telling him she was able to secure a full-time job and is now able to save for rent, crediting Wade’s kindness. Wade saw a gap in resources for people living in challenging conditions, a gap he could fill, and he hasn’t looked back. He has plans to expand his services to include a second bus that will be dedicated to helping children who are not living in stable and safe housing. His work has the support of community members and other non-profits.
Many of us look for ways to help those in need and Wade’s efforts leave us feeling a little bit better, to know there are those out there fighting the good fight, sharing their time where and when they can, giving of themselves. Perhaps we need these stories more at Christmas, to calm our worry of the state of humanity where greed is often louder than kindness. We shine the light on those striving to be the best version of themselves and we are inspired, we are comforted.
wendistewart@live.ca
