Couple's cleaning business offers free service for cancer patients
McCOOK, Neb. -- Upon reflection and study, Steve and Rachelle Kotschwar of McCook have realized that one of their "spiritual gifts" is their desire and ability to reach out and help others.
"Our pastor got us to thinking, 'What are our spiritual gifts?'," Steve said recently. "And it's pretty clear -- our gift is helping others." Rachelle is a caregiver; Steve is a deputy sheriff. Both careers demonstrate the couple's heart for helping.
With that as their motivator, the couple is expanding their commercial cleaning business, "Pristine Clean," to offer basic house cleaning services, free of charge, to those undergoing treatment for cancer.
Steve's family has been greatly affected by cancer. "My mother, my grandmother ... most recently, my older brother," Steve said. "A family maintains for a while. And then, further into treatment, more energy is taken away from them because of the cancer," and daily responsibilities become daunting.
Steve said, "Our goal with Pristine Clean Cancer Care Cleaning Services is to let these brave and strong women and men focus on their health and treatment while we focus on and take away the worry and work of cleaning their homes."
He continues, "This ministry is designed to provide a safe, clean environment so they can focus on beating their illness and regaining their health."
The cleaning will be done by Steve and Rachelle, their son, Aaron, and their daughter, Megan, and a corps of volunteers, using non-toxic and "green" cleaning products. It will be a basic house cleaning scheduled once a month for four consecutive months during treatment. The scope of services can vary from person to person, and can be tailored to individual needs.
Steve explains that this is a "not for profit" program, and no money, tips or gratuities will be accepted from patients. However, to help the program work well, donations of time, supplies, or small monetary donations from those not enrolled will be gratefully accepted.
The availability of volunteer staff will determine how many cancer patients can be helped at one time.
To apply for Pristine Clean's "Cancer Care Cleaning Services," contact Rachelle and Steve in McCook at (402) 768-1148; their e-mail address is srkotschwar@aol.com..