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An Inspiring Woman on a Mission: Debbie Sardone

women on a mission Oct 11, 2017
 

When you are fighting cancer, you don’t have the time or energy to do many of the things that were routine for you - like cleaning your home. The additional costs associated with oncology treatments mean you probably don’t have the money to hire a cleaning service either.

That’s the thought that occurred to Debbie Sardone when her cleaning service, Buckets & Bows Maid Service, got a call from a prospective client one day. 

“She was just inquiring about service for her home,” Debbie remembered. “I gave her a price and she said, ‘I can’t really afford that right now; I’m battling cancer and I’m not working.’ And she hung up the phone.”

The woman disconnected before Debbie could get her contact info. Debbie always wished she could have offered the woman a free housecleaning before the call ended. But that prompted Debbie to create Cleaning for a Reason, which serves all of the United States and Canada and gives free housecleaning services to women undergoing treatment for any type of cancer.

“Our goal is to let these brave and strong women focus on their health and treatment,” Debbie said. 

Since its founding in 2006, Cleaning for a Reason has recruited more than 1,200 maid services to donate free housecleaning services. During that time, they have helped more than 26,000 women at a value of almost $7 million.

Originally, the service started just as an informal policy at Bucket & Bows. But as Debbie’s company became more successful, she was invited to speak at industry conferences. Whenever she mentioned her policy, other cleaning services asked how they could get involved and eventually Cleaning for a Reason went from being a company policy to becoming a national 501c3 nonprofit.

 “I think what particularly attracts all of us to this cause is that it’s such a tangible way of giving back,” Debbie said. “It feels more meaningful than just writing a check.  It feels good to roll up your selves and help.”

That’s borne out by the testimonials cleaning services have given sharing their experience as partners in Cleaning for a Reason.

After cleaning the home of a woman with cancer, the cleaning technicians returned to the office and were elated because they had an opportunity to "serve a woman who was unable to serve herself,” said Sheila Capers, owner of Spotless maid service in Charlotte, NC. “We have found that this experience always creates an intense bond between the cleaning technician, the client, and our company.”

Asked what advice she’d give to other women who want to start a nonprofit to serve others, Debbie said it is essential to run it like a business.

“Surround yourself with strong business leaders, not just those motivated by the cause,” she added. “Having a strong heart for the cause is great - and it's certainly the motivating factor for me - but to make the impact I wanted to make, I knew I would have to apply sound business principles for growth and sustainability, even though it's a nonprofit.”

Learn more about Cleaning for a Reason HERE.  

And if you’re inspired to support the thoughtful and caring mission of this organization you can DONATE HERE

 

Are you a Woman on a Mission? A #ChangeMaker working hard to make the world a kinder, brighter place for those in need? I'd love to share your story.

All you have to do is fill out this form and share with me your vision, your mission, your journey and the impact you're making through the work of your small nonprofit. I'd love to feature you as a Woman on a Mission AND bring a little more attention to your good work with a little marketing love!