DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Laundry is one of those chores that a lot of people hate to do, but a Volusia County woman volunteers to do that for other people.
It's just one of the jobs that Rita Farrell does to make a difference in the community.
"It is a worthwhile endeavour in view of the fact of the high population of the cat population and then the dogs," Farrell said.
She gives her time to Volusia County Animal Services clinic. She's been washing, fluffing and folding towels at VCAS since 2021. It's earned her the nickname "Laundry Queen."
Farrell became a widow in 2019, then COVID isolation set in one year later, so she knew she had to keep busy.
"It's wonderful mental therapy and also physical therapy, so at least you're not sitting on the couch watching TV all day long," Farrell said.
On top of the six or more loads of towels, which is far more than she does at home, she helps veterinary technicians with surgical tools.
"This is the major job right here is to prepare the instruments to be washed," Farrell said.
Farrell does the washing and prepping from what has become affectionately known as "Rita's Sink." It even has a sign right over it.
"The supervisor, Laura, I think made it because she liked to make signs and everything," Farrell recalled. "I came back and saw the sign."
Farrell spent more than 32 years as a career public servant, and now it's about serving the community in this capacity.
