- April 18, 2024
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When Ormond Beach residents Chad and Mallory Hatmaker considered how to help their community as concerns over COVID-19 grew, they knew they wanted to help kids.
And that they could so by helping to keep local parks and splash pads clean.
The Hatmakers own Soap and Sea Soft Washing, a cleaning company specializing in power washing, house and roof washing services, and they have been reaching out to the community offering to donate their services for play structures at schools, parks and other common areas.
It's not the first time they do something like this. Last month, Soap and Sea Soft Washing cleaned the Riverbend Park playground for Random Acts of Kindness Day.
“We know that kids might not always be sick, but they sure are some little germ-carriers," said Chad Hatmaker with a laugh.
The Hatmakers are parents to two young daughters, both under the age of 4, and as a family, they utilized the city's parks and splash pads often.
On Wednesday, March 18, Chad Hatmaker and his employee Chris Cope headed to Tanger Outlets in the morning to clean the splash pad. He has also been contacting grocery stores, apartment complexes and local businesses to see if help is needed to keep common areas clean.
“It’s scary — walking outside and not knowing what you could come back with," Chad Hatmaker said.
Their business has also been impacted by the coronavirus. In the last week, they've lost $30,000 of commercial work. But these trials have only furthered their belief in the importance of supporting small local businesses; Chad Hatmaker said they can't afford to shut down for a week.
Mallory Hatmaker, a former nurse, said they were exploring ways to help other businesses in the area. If small businesses can band together, she said, there is a better probability they will all be standing when the COVID-19 situation tapers off.
“We were thinking about what small businesses we really like in Ormond, and hopefully, once stuff gets going again, we’d like to get some gift cards and give them to our customers so they can try the places out,” she said.
What keeps them positive? Their faith.
“As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we have a strong belief in what the Bible promises for the future," Chad Hatmaker said. "One of those things is a perfect Earth where we won’t have to worry about sickness or death ever again."
Whatever trials we face, he said, this current situation is temporary.
Visit soapandsea.com
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