Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, Oct. 9th, 2024, as a Category 3 storm, causing widespread destruction. According to Climate.gov, it reached peak wind speeds of 180 mph, making it one of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes in history. After devastating areas along Florida’s west coast, Milton left millions without power and caused severe flooding, infrastructure damage, and significant tornado outbreaks. The hurricane’s aftermath saw at least 24 fatalities. According to President Bidens remarks in his October 11th briefing, damage was estimated at $50 billion, marking a major disaster for the region.
In the Wake of Disaster, There are Moments of Hope
As Florida begins to recover from the damage caused by Hurricanes Milton and Helene, Tide Cleaners is stepping up to assist the first responders who are tirelessly working to help communities rebuild. From October 11th through October 25th, 2024, Tide Loads of Hope, powered by Tide Cleaners, will offer free laundry and dry-cleaning services to frontline responders, including police officers, firefighters, electric utility workers, FEMA staff, and other front-line responders, at 12 locations across Florida’s west coast.
The initiative is aimed at easing the burden on those who are putting in long hours in disaster zones, helping to restore critical services and safety. Each first responder household is eligible for one free laundry bag (up to 13 gallons) of laundry, providing much-needed relief to the people responsible for the state’s recovery. Participating Tide Cleaners locations in cities such as Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Naples will be open seven days a week for drop-offs, ensuring maximum convenience.
“As members of this community, it’s our responsibility to support those who are risking their lives to keep us safe,” said Robert Lyons, President & CEO of Consolidated Cleaners, Inc. & Consolidated Laundromats, LLC and a Tide Cleaners franchisee. “Tide Loads of Hope allows us to give back in a way that’s meaningful, offering our first responders clean clothes during this critical time so they can continue focusing on the recovery efforts.”
Drop-Off Locations for First Responders
First responders can drop off laundry at any of the 12 participating Tide Cleaners locations:
Sarasota:
- 8452 Tuttle Ave.
- 1760 Main Street
- 4325 S Tamiami Trail
Fort Myers:
- 7001 Cypress Terrace
- 6901 Daniels Marketplace
Estero:
- 19533 Highland Oaks Dr.
Bonita Springs:
- 27250 Bay Landing Dr.
Naples:
- 36 9th Street South
- 4890 Davis Blvd.
- 820 Old Trail Dr.
- 7430 Immokalee Rd.
- 8050 Trail Blvd.
Drop-off hours vary slightly by day, with locations open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More information can be found at TideCleaners.com/locations.
Supporting Communities in Times of Crisis
This is not the first time Tide Loads of Hope has stepped up in the wake of a disaster. Since its founding in 2005, in response to Hurricane Katrina, the program has become a reliable resource for communities facing natural disasters. From hurricanes to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tide Loads of Hope has provided clean clothes to over 90,000 people, washing more than 68,000 loads of laundry in the process.
“Natural disasters like Hurricane Milton can disrupt the most basic of resources, including access to electricity and clean water,” said Andy Gibson, CEO of Tide Services. “By offering free laundry services to first responders, we’re giving them one less thing to worry about as they continue their life-saving work in impacted communities.”
For over 70 years, Tide® has been a trusted name in laundry care. Tide Cleaners continues that tradition by supporting communities when they need it most.
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