$7,500 Raised at Benefit

By PlanetLaundry staff | Aug 07, 2009

Rainy weather didn’t dampen spirits at the recent "Loads of Love" benefit at the Stuffed Pig Restaurant in Marathon, Fla. Friends of Maytag Clean Laundry owner Donna Farmer, who faces a $149,000 sewer bill to keep the city's last coin laundry open for business, organized the benefit.

Farmer's bill could be as much as $260,000 if amortized over 20 years, but the City Council at its July 14 meeting assured residents that the city plans to help figure out a way for Farmer to handle the bill.

Farmer's friends and family braved rainy weather on Sunday and raised just over $7,500 to benefit the laundry.

It's been a rough stretch for Farmer recently. On top of ongoing wastewater concerns, a June 18 fire caused extensive damage and forced her to shutter the 28-year-old business indefinitely.

"It was awesome. It's very humbling to be in a position like that," Farmer said of the benefit. "I can't thank the community enough for all their effort and donations. It's a wonderful place to be."

Food and beverage donations came from numerous area restaurants and businesses, and local musicians donated their time to entertain the crowd. There was also a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction featuring art, jewelry, gift certificates and more.

Work began recently to repair damage to the building's interior, with debris removal and pressure washing. Farmer said electrical contractors are waiting on permits to begin their work at the laundry.

Meanwhile, building owner Ed Putz – to whom the sewer bill was actually addressed – has filed an appeal of the assessment with the city. Farmer says she intends to keep working toward reopening the laundry.

"We have not received any response on the appeal yet that Ed filed. I'm just going to move forward until I'm told I can't, and I'm hoping that I can," she said.