Gadue’s Dry Cleaning has always cherished the community that sustains us, and taken seriously our social role. Our charitable work synchronizes well with our green business practices as part of a general philosophy of taking care of both our human and ecological networks.
Back to School
Since Gadue’s began its Back to School program in 2007, we’ve helped provide more than 900 students from kindergarten to high school age with the basic school supplies they need to succeed. We fully stock new backpacks with supplies generously donated by our wonderful clients, staff, and neighbors. You can help out families who have trouble affording school essentials by dropping off supplies and monetary donations at any of our locations in July and August.
Coats for Kids
The Coats for Kids campaign is Gadue’s venerable yearly effort to get new and gently used winter clothes to those who lack them. We collect the garments from community members and then give them a thorough Gadue’s cleaning before local agencies distribute them to children and adults in need. Coats for Kids keeps growing: In 2008 alone, we gathered, cleaned, and donated over 2,500 coats!
February Food Drive
The Vermont Campaign to End Childhood Hunger reports that one in six Vermont kids experiences hunger—a sobering statistic. Gadue’s proudly joined the fight against hunger in the state with the launch in 2010 of our February Food Drive, during which we collect donated goods for needy families.
Toys for Kids
Gadue’s enthusiastically participates in the Toys for Kids of Vermont, an annual toy drive organized by the Marine Corps League’s Donald Cook Detachment. Drop off new, unwrapped toys at any Gadue’s location ahead of Christmas to make holiday dreams come true for community children.
Read to Ride
In 1995, Mark Gadue brought an elegantly simple vision to life: the first year of his Read to Ride program. The venture asked kids ages six to 14 to read a book start to finish, then fill out an entry form and drop it off at a participating venue for a chance to win a bicycle and other prizes. Over nine years, Vermont kids involved in the program read better than 200,000 books and won hundreds of Trek mountain bikes, books, and other treasures. Mark was chosen as a national Point of Light winner in 1999 for this work promoting children’s literacy.
