Local Dry Cleaners Collecting Donations For Camillus House

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Many of us use spring cleaning as an opportunity to collect and donate items from our closets. Now, a group of local dry cleaners is making it even easier for their customers to put those donations towards a great cause.

"It makes it really easy for people to give back," said Mark Mills of Sir Galloway Dry Cleaners.

Local dry cleaners usually compete for the same customers, but recently, a few decided to put the competition aside for the good of the community.

"We got together with Rey's Cleaners and Sudsies, also Dry Clean USA, thinking how can we help Camillus House?" said Mills.

Camillus House is a place where the homeless have found refuge and resources in Downtown Miami since 1960.

"We came up with the idea that we would gather clothing from our customers, shoes, eye wear, explained Mills.

Soon the word about the donation drive spread to customers, like Sue Nichols, who got her whole family involved, even her grandchildren.

"Never, ever, ever think your child is too young to understand the good feeling that you have when you give toys that you have used and enjoyed," said Nichols.

She said all the closet cleaning for a good cause makes her feel differently about the local businesses leading the effort.

"Us the consumer feel so good to see stores that virtually compete with each other all year long come together for this cause," said Nichols.

Camillus House is very grateful for the donation and also thinks it a great way for people to connect with the realities of homelessness.

"I think sometimes we forget how great it feels to put clean clothing on," said Brother Bill Osmanski of Camillus House. "We give with our hands, people give with their hearts."

For a list of participating dry cleaners, call Neighbors 4 Neighbors at (305) 5907-4404.