The founder of The Front Porch in Suttons Bay, Bobbie Eggert, will be honored the weekend of January 29 with a fundraiser for The Laundry Project. This organization was near and dear to Bobbie’s heart and she committed much of her time to it upon the sale of her business in 2005. She was surprised at the community-wide need for assistance with basic laundry needs and was happy to dig in and help.

The Laundry Project was founded in 2004 with the help and support of the Leelanau Women’s Foundation. They host two free laundry events each month at the Suttons Bay Laundromat where low-income families, seniors and individuals with disabilities can have their basic laundry needs met. This year, they helped more than 350 people and the pandemic is increasing reliance on this service. When people need to choose how to spend their limited resources, laundry is often low on the list of priorities compared to heating and groceries.

When you bring in a donation to The Laundry Project from January 29–31, The Front Porch will offer 20% off your shopping experience that day. In addition, The Front Porch will match any contributions made that day. Monetary donations are being accepted along with laundry detergent and fabric softener.

“Bobbie was a force of nature and her passing last year was a true loss to Leelanau County. We wanted to do something special to recognize Bobbie’s significant contributions to the community over the years. She was very civic-minded, eager to help and take care of others, and the Laundry Project was special to her. We thought this would be a special way to recognize her generosity and devotion, and something that would have made her happy. These needs just get greater in a time like this, so it seems important and relevant,” says Amy Peterson, owner of The Front Porch since 2005.

The Front Porch has been in business for 44 years and can be found in downtown Suttons Bay at 207 St. Joseph Street. Donations are being accepted from January 29 through January 31.

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