I Can Explain: how my contribution to my church’s Caring Center turned to sawdust

Most posts I write with the title I Can Explain are related to my church. Not sure how that is.

Recently our Sunday school teacher’s wife asked that we contribute gently used or new blankets to our church caring center. The Northbrook Caring Center distributes food items including canned goods to the needy of our community. Before Covid, they also provided clothing and other household items. This year during the cold months, they are providing blankets. In addition, the center offers counseling to individuals, couples, and families.

So, when I went home after church, I found two blankets in my linen closet that looked like new. Before I contributed them, I decided to wash each since I hadn’t used either in a while. The first blanket looked great when I took it out of the dryer. Soft, fluffy, and ready to keep someone warm.

The second was another story. When the washer turned off, I headed to the laundry room to take it out of the machine. Strangely enough, the blanket had disappeared. At first, I wanted to accuse the washer of theft, but then that thought fled as reality hit me. I peeked into the washer again. Instead of my blanket, I found a washer full of sawdust. Literally. I have the pictures to prove it.

I still contributed two blankets, but one came from Walmart.