Fluffing for a good cause

By AMELIA ROESSLER

Editorial Assistant

A lot of pillows were cleaned last Saturday, August 6, at Sacred Heart as part of the Catholic Daughters fundraiser that went from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Professional Mike Carlson stationed his trailer near the church and offered his unusual service. Carlson’s process involves removing the feathers from each pillow, then using filters,  ozone and ultraviolet light to clean the feathers in a two-and-a-half minute cycle. After that, the feathers are typically put in a new cover, ending up fluffier than before. Carlson can also add or remove feathers to meet owners’ preferences for firmness. 

Purchased over twenty years ago from a family friend, this fundraising business of Carlson’s travels all over Minnesota and into surrounding states such as Iowa, Wisconsin, and even the Dakotas. To the best of his knowledge, he is the only traveling pillow cleaner left in Minnesota. Based in Willmar, Carlson has been coming to Sacred Heart as part of the Catholic Daughters’ fundraiser each spring and fall for around 22 years now. 

The Catholic Daughters use this event to help raise money to give back to the community. “It started as a fundraiser for the religious education program,” explained Vice Regent Lori Mickelson, volunteering at the time to help people with their pillows. Management eventually transferred to the Catholic Daughters, who center their projects around unity and charity. Namely, they are “united to help others who need help,” according to Sue Harguth, another volunteer. The Waseca Catholic Daughters court has about 110 members. Their meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month. For anyone interested in learning more about one of the largest women’s organizations in the Americas, the group’s newsletter and links to web-based information are on the Sacred Heart website. Any female 18 or older is encouraged to find out more.