EXECUTIVE CLEANING DEDICATES A STAFF MEMBER TO HELPING CANCER PATIENTS
By Bob Schneider, Owner and Founder Executive Cleaning, LLC, Wausau, WI
Executive Cleaning, a family-owned business in Wausau, WI, began in January 2012. Started by myself with two employees, the company has now grown to over 50 employees. The business was built on integrity, honesty, and hard work and continues to value employees first and foremost. While striving to give customers the very best service possible, employees are encouraged to take pride and ownership in each job and environment they clean. My first priority has always been toward my employees; secondly, toward supporting local organizations that benefit my community; and thirdly, toward helping around the world.
I heard about Cleaning For A Reason a few years ago and thought it was a great service for those struggling through a difficult time in their life. I was out shopping in May of 2014 for some new office furniture when the sales person asked me if I was doing anything for cancer patients. She mentioned that she just went through chemo and did not have the strength to clean her house. I told her about Cleaning For A Reason, but she said no one in this area was part of the foundation. In November, I came in contact with Cleaning For A Reason at the ISSA National Convention and signed up immediately. I knew it was something we had to do.
My intention at the time was to allow my staff to fit these donated cleanings into their weekly schedules. However, God had other plans for me and a special person named Marie Arnold, whom I was about to meet. Marie had just lost her husband and decided to relocate to Wausau to be closer to her eldest daughter and grandchildren. Marie applied with my company looking for part-time work. While explaining to Marie about Cleaning For A Reason, I was very excited to hear about her desire for years to be involved in a ministry geared toward helping women. We both realized that God had been working behind the scenes preparing this ministry and a person to fill it at the same time. Realizing that this was a perfect fit, I decided to hire Marie to serve this cause exclusively.
To launch the program for our company, Marie visited hospitals, cancer centers, churches, beauty salons, and area businesses to pass out brochures and spread awareness about our affiliation. She also wrote letters, mailing them with brochures to each of our clients. As cancer patients began requesting services, Marie set up appointments and began cleaning for patients, even helping some outside of work with grocery shopping, companionship, and chemo trips. We have since lost four patients to cancer and it definitely affects you when this happens.
After participating with Relay For Life last June, we fully intend to have a team this year as well. What a great opportunity to set up a table and introduce our company and the cause we stand behind. We also prepare gift packages for our cancer patients with assorted items, such as Mary Kay products, professionally packaged chocolates donated by a local chocolate shop, and floral bouquets. Marie also continues to write personal letters of introduction for new patients and our clients. We are constantly looking for new ways to add a personal touch to what we consider “our ministry.”
We have now been with Cleaning For A Reason for one year. This past January, we were matched with five new patients. We have also decided that we will not turn away men who approach our cleaning company directly asking for help. It has certainly been a blessing to be a part of this ministry, and I thank God daily for allowing us to serve Him, while serving others.
“I feel very blessed to be able to help women in this way and extremely thankful for the health and energy that God has granted to me at the age of 62 years old,” said manager Marie Arnold. “I love people and have always been quick to serve others. How amazing to be able to use this gift on a daily basis. I feel that the gift of encouragement goes right along with this act of service and Cleaning For A Reason is a huge opportunity to exercise both. When I share about this cause, it heightens awareness in people of the struggles in everyday life that are a result of cancer and its treatment. Serving cancer patients has opened my eyes to so many needs that I hadn’t even considered before.”
