Mystery couple hands out $100 bills at laundromat

 

Jill Kelley

Dayton Daily News 

Staff Writer

Updated 9:51 AM Tuesday, December 22, 2009

DAYTON — Christmas came early for eight customers and two employees at Spin City Laundromat on Sunday, Dec. 20, when an anonymous couple came in and handed each one a card containing a $100 bill.

Holly Dunlap and Dana Watson were working at the laundromat at 219 Wyoming St.

“My first thought was that (the couple) had just come in from church,” said Dunlap, adding that she and Watson didn’t recognize the pair. “They were dressed conservatively. The woman had on a long black dress and a bonnet, and the man was dressed in black.”

She said the couple didn’t say anything as they handed out the cards.

“The cards said, ‘Merry Christmas,’ and on the inside said, ‘Happy holidays and many happy days to follow. Jesus loves you!’ ”

Dunlap said after they realized what they had received, a few people caught the couple at the door before they could leave and hugged them.

Watson said they thanked them, and the couple said, “You’re welcome” and “Merry Christmas.”

Watson told them, “God bless you!”

Why Spin City was chosen for this little Christmas miracle might never be known, but Dunlap said the customers and employees can use the unexpected windfall.

“We have a lot of people who are down and out, but are still trying,” she said. “We had one woman who just lost her house, and (Watson) has five kids.”

 

Anonymous Christmas gifts much appreciated

"I'm usually giving money (at work), for a dry or something like that if (the customer) is short," Watson said. "Nothing like this has ever, ever happened to me before. I can't even win $2 in a lottery ticket!"

The 32-year-old Riverside resident said she is going to finish up her Christmas shopping with the bonus money.

"I'm going to Toys R Us!"

Fellow employee Holly Dunlap, who also was given $100, lost her job about a year ago in California and has been working at the laundromat since this summer.

"It's just a great thing, especially with the economy and people losing their jobs," she said of the actions of the couple.

Dunlap, 29, of Centerville said she plans to use the money for her new career path.

"It will help pay for college this quarter," said Dunlap, who wants to become a dental hygienist. "Maybe pay for my books."

 

Good karma?

Barry Cooper, one of the owners of Spin City, said he and the staff had just had a meeting on Saturday to talk about customer appreciation.

"We are having a drawing today (Monday) and Tuesday for customers to win $20 to be put on their easy card," which is used to pay for the washers and dryers, Cooper said. "And we are offering free drying today and Tuesday. (The laundromat) is very close-knit."

Also, Cooper said that about six months ago Spin City added four desktop computers for customers. They cost $2 to $5 to use, depending on time.

"Customers can look for jobs on there, get e-mail, etc.," he said. "We're like the first cyber laundromat in Dayton, Ohio."

Cooper added that the business tries to give back to the area.

"We look at the place as a little community," he said.