Giving Back to the Community
Since 1961 BDS Laundry Systems has built relationships with business owners, contractors and city leaders throughout our five state territory. Many of these long lasting relationships have grown into friendships. While learning more about the members of each community we’ve found several inspiring organizations that we could help through funding, donating commercial laundry equipment or simply the time of our employees. Here are a few of the organizations we’ve assisted throughout the years:
Perspectives Inc. is a very moving organization developing and delivering outcome based programs to help stabilize families suffering from addiction, mental illness and poverty. Through supportive housing programs, addiction support, job training and parenting courses, Perspectives Inc. is able to help more than 1,000 families per year.
Alliance Housing Incorporated provides housing stability for very low income individuals and families. The organization was born from staff and residents of St. Stephens Emergency Shelter in 1991. Since its inception Alliance Housing has done a tremendous job developing housing solutions for homeless, poor and other individuals unable to satisfy their housing needs.
Our Saviour’s Community Services
Located in the center of South Minneapolis’ most diverse neighborhood, Our Saviour’s Community Services provides housing for single adults in addition to English language classes to immigrants and refugees. This respected organization opened its doors in 1981 with an English language center and has since expanded to building an emergency shelter, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing serving more than 650 people per year.
Be The Match is a nationally known organization that started in St. Paul, Minnesota and is now headquartered in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. Operated by the National Marrow Donor Program, the non-profit organization has facilitated more than 74,000 marrow and cord blood transplants assisting more than 6,400 patients per year through ground breaking research, innovative technologies and, patient support and education.
The Minneapolis Crisis Nursery is dedicated to providing a safe physical environment to end child abuse and neglect. As the only residential crisis nursery in the state and one of just 20 in the country the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery answers more than 4,000 crisis calls and shelters more than 2,000 children per year. In addition to shelter services this organization provides nutritious meals and an abundance of time and space for activities.
People Serving People is the Midwest’s largest and most comprehensive family-focused homeless shelter assisting at-risk children and families throughout the Twin Cities. After initial support providing emergency shelter housing units, meals and even free diapers, People Serving People offers a variety of family support services to help build a strong foundation for long-term family success including employment services, financial guidance, family activities, K-12 programs and more.
Many BDS Laundry Systems’ employees have found their pets from one of the five Animal Humane Society Twin Cities location making it one of our favorite organizations and one we are honored to assist in any way. The Animal Humane Society offers innovative medical assistance and behavior programs for dogs, cats and all kinds of critters – they’ll never turn away an animal in need.
National Handicap Housing Institute
The National Handicap Housing Institute (NHHI) is a non-profit organization founded in 1975 to help improve the independent lifestyles of people with physical disabilities. In 2007 the NHHI opened its first senior housing development giving seniors ages 62 a quality, affordable housing. Since 2007 they have opened several housing communities throughout the Twin Cities. We’re proud to assist such a great organization by donating Speed Queen front loading washers and dryers designed for ease of use to upgrade the current living situation for members in the NHHI’s community.
AEON – Home Changes Everything
Since 1986 AEON has carried out its mission to provide everyone with a quality, affordable place to live, feel safe, engaged and connected to a community. As an affordable housing developer in the Twin Cities, AEON has renovated more than 2,700 apartments and townhomes helping more than 4,500 people with homes in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Brooklyn Center, Chaska and Roseville. In addition to developing homes, AEON also provides supportive services to help residents and their families achieve housing stability for years to come. BDS has donated to this incredible organization for the last five years to help AEON reach its goals.
The Open Door food pantry in Eagan is more than a neighbor to BDS Laundry Systems. They are a personal friend to David DeMarsh, BDS’ president, and one of his favorite charities. This holiday season BDS is holding a food drive throughout December to collect all types of items from non-perishables to gift cards to local grocery stores to support this fantastic organization.
The Open Door assists thousands of individuals in the Twin Cities every month through several programs including Healthy Food Support at their Pantry in Eagan, 12 Mobile Pantry sites throughout Lakeville, Farmington, Rosemount and Apple Valley and the Mobile Lunch Boc which supports 5,000 people each month. They also help educate families on healthy eating options and oversees and maintains a Garden to Table program including 200 gardens around the Metro.
Dow Rummel Village is the premier retirement community in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Featuring the regions only wellness center, Dow Rummel offers residents with all levels of first-class care including independent living, home health, assisted living and a memory unit. We’ve worked with Dow Rummel Village for years and enjoy giving back to their Building Our Caring Community campaign which supports expanded services in memory care and assisted living plus the addition of a new Gathering Hall and Main Street amenities.
Minnesota Fire Exploring Association
The Minnesota Fire Exploring Association is one of our favorite organizations. With the latest initiatives to educate fire departments on the importance of properly cleaning turnout gear, this organization takes it a step further with the Learning for Life Program. Founded in 2008 the MN Fire Exploring Association’s mission is to bring Fire Exploring Posts from around the state of Minnesota together to educate young men and women ages 14-21 about fire safety and potential careers in the fire service. BDS Laundry Systems’ donation goes directly to The Learning for Life Program, which is affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, to further all education, training and equipment programs for the organization.