Children at Lotus House Women’s Shelter create a video with a much-needed message

Throughout the ages mothers have told their children, over and over again, to wash their hands.

Now, the children of Miami’s Lotus House Women’s Shelter are reminding us all once more.

In their three-minute music video released May 5, kids at the state-of-the-art shelter in Miami’s Overtown neighborhood ask viewers of all ages to “practice social distancing, prioritize personal hygiene, and do their part to keep their communities safe.”

There’s a lot of great dancing, too. Watch and listen to “Wash Your Hands by Lotus House Kids” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqpA3EzdL-4

Miami’s only homeless shelter that exclusively assists women and children is currently housing 250 kids and their mothers who are bound to the shelter due to the coronavirus pandemic.

To stay motivated, a group of the kids got together to create and produce the uplifting video — with a rap song and choreography — to encourage everyone everywhere.

The Lotus House youth, ages 3-15, also hope the video will raise awareness for what their community is doing to survive.

“Each night, millions of children across America and over 9,000 children right here in Miami-Dade County go to sleep without a place to call home. That’s why our model at Lotus House puts children first,” Lotus House founder and president Constance Collins said.

“The Covid-19 pandemic is hitting our homeless population particularly hard. These are the most vulnerable members of our society, particularly women, youth and children, which is why our mission at Lotus House is particularly important right now,” Collins said.

“If we’ve learned anything over the past several weeks, it’s that the children of Lotus House are resilient, responsible and full of creative energy.”

You can help advance the status of women, youth and children to prevent and end homelessness by donating, if you can, at www.lotushouse.org

Free laundering services offered in May

A Miami laundry is hoping to ease one of the chores moms, and everyone else, too, are dealing with a lot these days.

Rene Faustin, owner of numerous branches of Iron & Steam Modern Cleaners, wants to make a contribution in the best way he knows how: helping the community with washing and folding garments and linens so that they may concentrate on more important things.

The services are free this month.

His South Florida laundries serve Aventura, Bal Harbour, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Design District, Downtown Miami, Edgewater, Miami Beach, Miami Shores, Sunny Isles and Wynwood.

Faustin, an immigrant from Haiti who also works full time at a luxury property in Miami Beach, said his company was among the lucky few allowed to remain open under the classification of essential business.

“Working as the operations manager of a condo, I know that it takes the work of many, from janitors to front desk personnel, to keep things running smoothly. Without their contributions and, of course, the dedication and heroism of those tending to the sick in hospitals, law enforcement and so many more, it would have been impossible for our community to stay afloat during these difficult times,” he said.

Through the end of May, Faustin is opening his business to offer free laundry and dry cleaning. Laundry is ready in 24 hours and dry cleaning in 72. Customers can schedule services via the company website or by sending a text to 786-860-4093.

Iron & Steam Cleaners provides pickup and delivery throughout Miami Dade County. Those interested can also drop off their items at the shop located at 2308 NE Second Ave., in Miami. More at www.ironsteamcleaners.com

Art sales to help first responders

Aliona Ortega and Olivier Waltman of Waltman Ortega Fine Art want to share the good work the contemporary art gallery and its artists are doing to help during the pandemic.

“In these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic, it feels crucial for us to be part of our community, express our solidarity with the first responders, and provide support to our medical professionals who are at the front line of the coronavirus pandemic,” the gallery owners said.

“Our gallery and our artists organized a charity art sale. Funds raised through this campaign will be donated to help buy protective supplies and equipment so much needed at hospitals in the fight against COVID-19.”

Ortega and Waltman said the sales made by their Miami gallery will be shared between Jackson Health Foundation and Broward Health Foundation to support local public hospitals in South Florida.

The Paris gallery proceeds will be transferred to Fondation AP-HP (Assistance Publique-Hopitaux de Paris), the Public Health System of France.

If you would like to join in the charity art sale that benefits these hospitals, check out #ArtAgainstCOVID19 and www.waltmanortega.com The art is temporarily being offered at reduced prices.

Free car wash, disinfecting for first responders

To thank those on the front lines, Rising Tide Car Wash is offering a free exterior car wash to all healthcare professionals and first responders, upon showing their ID badge, throughout the month of May at both the Parkland and Margate locations.

Rising Tide and its employees, most of whom are individuals with autism, are also providing the PURTABS fogging service, an EPA List N-registered hospital grade interior disinfectant that kills Covid-19 and eliminates a variety of viruses and bacteria.

“At Rising Tide Car Wash, we are adjusting our services for the ‘new normal’ by providing this new disinfectant feature,” said John D’Eri, CEO of Rising Tide Car Wash.

“As a social enterprise, we have always been socially responsible. With the current COVID-19 crisis, we are taking our social responsibility to the next level by implementing this service to keep our customers and employees healthy and safe.”

Learn more about the redesigned cleaning services at www.risingtidecarwash.com or call 954-344-1855. This family business has earned many honors for its mission to give work and purpose to those in the autism community.

Student-athlete award open until May 15

The Orange Bowl Committee is accepting applications for its Beigel-Feis-Hixon Valor Award given in honor and memory of Marjory Stoneman Douglas coaches Scott Beigel, Aaron Feis and Chris Hixon, who sacrificed their own safety and lives to protect students, colleagues and classmates in the tragic mass shooting at the school in 2018.

It includes a $10,000 scholarship, distributed over four years, contingent upon the student- athlete remaining in good standing with his or her corresponding college or university.

Designed to salute an outstanding student-athlete exhibiting valor and courage in the face of adversity, the award is open to all graduating senior student-athletes in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. May 15. Visit www.orangebowl.org to apply.

If you have news for this column, write to ChristinaMMayo@gmail.com.