Hannah's Wash Dry Fold provides clean clothes and warm hearts for emergency workers

As a customer arrives at Hannah’s Wash Dry Fold, Leah Causby walks up to their vehicle with a sweet smile to ask, “Picking up or dropping off?”

Her positive attitude is replicated among the team of four, working in the “Pink Palace” on Tuesday afternoon, the smell of fresh laundry detergent filling the air.

The team has been busy in the wake of Helene. The laundry service at 510 S. Sterling St. in Morganton is supporting the community by offering free same-day wash, dry, and fold services for first responders and linemen working to restore services and clean up after the historic storm.

It’s been a little over a week since the business announced its initiative via Facebook. Owner Hannah Ferree says they’ve serviced nearly 100 first responders and linemen.

“Every single one of them has just been the kindest and most appreciative. They’re very thankful and this has warmed our hearts,” said Susan Ferree, Hannah’s mother.

“People are coming from up the mountain – Burnsville, Asheville, Old Fort, Marion – and this seems to be the first place that has a laundromat so it’s been running nonstop,” Susan said over dryers spinning in the background.

The complimentary services are for police officers, fire officers, electrical linemen, EMS, medical workers, tree and debris workers, DOT workers, and any frontline workers serving the community.

“We’ve been working to make sure it’s same-day service for these guys,” Hannah said.

Hannah said she started her business venture after college at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. The idea was formed after a decision to follow in her grandparents’ footsteps in entrepreneurship.

She has expanded her business to four brick-and-mortar locations in Burke, two of which are self-service.

In addition to this effort, Hannah has extended the operation hours at two self-service locations to 24 hours. Those locations are 720 W. Fleming Drive in Morganton and 610 Main St. in Valdese.

Doris McMahan, who’s been with the company over a year, was seen removing neon green uniforms from the dryer.

“This is the least we can do to help out the community. They’re away from home, away from their families,” McMahan said.

Hannah and Susan brainstormed ways to help during the time of recovery from Hurricane Helene.

“We were just trying to find a way to give back using whatever resources we had,” Susan said.

“Giving them clean clothes is what we can do so that’s what we’re doing,” Hannah said.

The duo raved about the outpouring of support from the community.

“People have brought in soap, pastries, donated via CashApp, and Venmo. ... One guy stopped in and offered to buy us lunch,” Susan said.

In addition to the four employees at the Sterling Street location, Hannah said they’ve had eight to 10 volunteers assist.

Hannah’s Wash Dry Fold is taking walk-ins and call-ins from first responders and linemen interested in services. The Sterling Street location is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We appreciate our regular customers who are understanding while we prioritize these,” Susan said.