For many of us, cleaning our homes is a chore we complete without even thinking about it. But what if you weren’t able to clean your home due to illness? What would it mean to you to have community volunteers take that weight off your shoulders? PCT Clean is partnering with Kennesaw businesses to make this a reality for local cancer patients.
Owned by R.J. and Asha Patel, PCT Clean has been in business since 2003. R.J. has had several successful business ventures since moving to Kennesaw in 1978, one of which was hotel owner.
As hotelkeepers, the Patels were known for their excellent care for customers, cleanliness and relaxing environment. R.J. said he even received referrals from overbooked national franchise hotels, asking if they could send over their executive clients because they knew those clients would be cared for like family.
Since cleaning was an obvious part of owning a hotel for 27 years, opening PCT was the next logical business step for the Patels.
As PCT approaches its 20th year, the owners are taking on a big project for a bigger cause. Their motto is “We Clean. You Enjoy Life,” and they’re standing behind it by taking part in Cleaning for a Reason, a Texas-based 501(c)(3) organization that offers free home cleaning to cancer patients in the United States and Canada. The nonprofit’s goal is to take away the burden of cleaning so patients can focus on getting healthy and spending time with loved ones. RJ met founder Debbie Sardone in 2008 when she was promoting the organization at a national convention, and once he heard the mission, he said, “Sign me up,” right on the spot.
Cleaning for a Reason (cleaningforareason.org) qualifies patients for cleaning services and is matching PCT with patients based on the company’s service zip codes. R.J. said he had the capacity for three or four cleans per month before the COVID-19 pandemic, but due to declines in the labor market, he’s had to scale back.
Since PCT is committed to adding value to the community, company officials found themselves asking how they could do more in 2022. R.J. is on the board of directors for the Kennesaw Business Association (KBA) and was inspired by this year’s theme, “Bigger, Better, Brighter.” In February, he pitched a collaborative idea to KBA President Dana Dorris and business members at the organization’s monthly luncheon. His idea was to secure up to 21 KBA businesses to provide 21 free cleans during the 21 working days in October. He said within a minute of presenting the idea, he had 21 businesses enthusiastically say yes. This initiative is, first, about the patients who are going to be served and, second, about the Kennesaw businesses that are volunteering, with PCT’s recognition coming in third, R.J. said.
This impactful story hits home for PCT Sales and Marketing Director Angela Bockman. Angela said she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, but as of Aug. 18, 2022, she’s a four-year survivor and is cancer-free. “I do know, when I was going through my treatment, how hard it was to even open my eyes to look at a text message,” she said. So she can understand from a patient and business view how removing the barrier of cleaning can impact lives.
– Nicole Smith is a public health professional living in Kennesaw with her epic houseplant collection and two senior dogs, Jax and Lily Grace.
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