Bob Purdy
In this interview, Bob, an 82-year-old retiree, shares his experiences with Orange Sky and the positive impact the service has had on his life.
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"Well, the lady that lived above me, she was some, won some award and she told me about this and I didn't know about it and I came round here because I was paying the lady next door five bucks every week to wash. But I, that was it, just washing. It wasn't put, drying. This is great. This is great because it washes. And this is it."
"Oh, it's really good. Yeah, they're really great people that work for you. Yeah, unbelievable."
"Well, when this is here, you may know, just sit down and generally talk and just wait for wait for the washing to be done. Yeah, nothing else. No, I can't run around the block anymore like I used to. When you're 82 years old, you're limited in what you can do, you know."
"Oh, I think it's a fantastic job that they've done. I think unbelievable. I mean, one of the greatest job things that someone could do, because a lot of people haven't got washing machines and they've got no facilities, or they've got to hand wash. You know, if I didn't have the woman next door, or didn't have you, I'd have to do everything by hand, which is a bit of a pain."
A Clean Start: Bob's Story of Connection and Dignity with Orange Sky
In the heart of Hamilton South, a community center buzzes with activity every week as the Orange Sky van rolls in. Among the familiar faces is Bob Purdy, an 82-year-old retiree whose life has been brightened by this simple yet powerful service.
Bob's journey with Orange Sky began when a neighbor told him about the free mobile laundry service. Living in a one-bedroom unit with no space for a washing machine, Bob had been paying a neighbor $5 weekly to wash his clothes. "This is great because it washes and they dry for you, which is fantastic," Bob shares, his eyes twinkling with appreciation.
But for Bob, Orange Sky offers more than just clean laundry. It's a lifeline of human connection in a community where he often feels isolated. "Oh, it's really good. They're really great people that work for you. Unbelievable," he says of the volunteers.
At 82, Bob's world has naturally become smaller. "I can't run around the block anymore like I used to," he chuckles. But twice a week, when the Orange Sky van arrives, his world expands. He sits, chats, and waits for his laundry, finding joy in the simple act of conversation.
One volunteer, in particular, has left a lasting impression on Bob. "We got one bloke, Greg, is the most amazing man I've ever known in my life at 61 years old," Bob marvels. "The things he's doing, I just can't... he's just unbelievable. He's so fit."
These interactions are precious to Bob, especially given the challenges in his neighborhood. He mentions the prevalence of drug-related issues, which make it difficult for him to connect with many locals. Orange Sky provides a safe, positive environment where he can engage with others.
For Bob, and many like him, Orange Sky is more than a laundry service. It's a beacon of dignity, a source of connection, and a reminder that they matter. "I think it's a fantastic job that they've done. Unbelievable," Bob reflects. "One of the greatest things that someone could do."
As we celebrate stories like Bob's, we're reminded of the profound impact that simple acts of kindness can have. Orange Sky isn't just washing clothes; it's weaving a fabric of community, one load at a time.
Bob's parting words sum it up perfectly: "Quite happy with what they do and congratulate the mob that did it, that set it up." Indeed, Bob. Indeed.
