by Frederick, Maryland — A retired police officer in Western Maryland has found a new way to serve his community, trading badges and crime scenes for detergent and folding tables.
Wade Milyard, 45, now spends his days driving a converted laundry bus across Frederick, offering free washing and drying services to people experiencing homelessness — a mission he says came to him in an unexpected moment of clarity.
A New Calling After a Career in Law Enforcement
Milyard spent years working as a canine officer with the Frederick Police Department, a job grounded in service and public safety. But when he retired, he wasn’t ready to stop helping others. He wanted purpose — and, according to him, purpose found him.
It was during a domestic dispute call at a homeless encampment in spring 2024 that everything changed.
“I heard a voice out of nowhere,” Milyard recalled. “It said, Ask them about their laundry.”
The couple told him they washed their clothes in a nearby creek. That answer, he said, made something click. Within months, he was mapping out a plan. With his own savings and community donations, he converted a small bus into Fresh Step Laundry, a mobile, no-cost fluff-and-fold operation.
Bringing Dignity to Those Who Need It Most
Now, Milyard spends hours each week crisscrossing Frederick, parking his bus wherever homeless residents gather and washing dozens of loads at a time. The service may sound simple — but for people who rely on creeks, plastic bags, or weeks-old clothing, it can be life-changing.
Christopher Washington, one of the many who rely on Fresh Step Laundry, said clean clothes offer more than comfort.
“If you’re clean, you just feel better,” Washington told CBS News. “You feel a little more proud of yourself.”
Milyard sees that transformation firsthand.
“You’re doing it to give them a little bit of a boost,” he said. “If having clean clothes can help them just a little bit, then my mission is fulfilled.”
How Fresh Step Laundry Operates
Milyard’s mobile laundry bus is outfitted with washers, dryers, and storage for detergent, all funded through personal investment and donations. Rather than requiring appointments or paperwork, anyone who needs fresh clothing can walk up and receive help, no questions asked.
Each week, he:
- Drives to known gathering areas for homeless residents
- Picks up bags of clothing
- Washes, dries, and folds each load on-site
- Returns the clean clothes the same day
It is, as he admits, “not glamorous work.” But it’s work he considers sacred.
The Meaning Behind the Mission
For Milyard, Fresh Step Laundry isn’t just about washing clothes — it’s about restoring dignity.
Homelessness in Frederick County, like many parts of the country, continues to rise. Many shelters and outreach centers provide meals, hygiene kits, or temporary housing, but laundry is rarely offered, despite its impact on job opportunities, mental health, and self-worth.
Milyard’s service fills that gap.
“This is something they just don’t have,” he said. “And if I can help meet that need, that’s what I’m here for.”
He insists he does not seek recognition. Instead, he points to something deeper — a sense of calling he cannot ignore.
“When you feel a calling like that, there’s not a sour smell in the world that can take that sense of purpose away.”
Community Support Continues to Grow
As word spreads, more residents are stepping forward with donations of detergent, warm clothing, and even gas money to help offset the cost of running the mobile laundry service. Milyard hopes to expand Fresh Step Laundry in the coming years, possibly adding volunteer teams or a second vehicle.
For now, he’s focused on doing what he can, load by load.
Final Thoughts
Milyard’s transformation from crime-fighter to laundry-provider shows that community service can take many forms — and sometimes, the smallest gestures carry the greatest impact.
Looking for more stories of people making a difference? Visit mikeandjonpodcast.com for conversations that spotlight kindness, community, and everyday heroes.
