Why is this Woman Smiling?

See Shea Post. Shea is smiling.

See Tom Reed. Tom is smiling.

They are smiling because Tom just handed Shea a $4,000 check from the foundation run by his company, Plum Creek. The money will be used to buy high-efficiency, front-loading washers and dryers for the

"This is going to save us so much money in utilities," said Shea, the newly hired director of the shelter. "It's so generous, and we appreciate it so much."

Tom just smiled, then talked a little bit about the history of Plum Creek, the company, and Plum Creek the Foundation. The company is based in Seatlle, and is the largest private landowner in the U.S., with 6.8 million acres. It's a timber real estate investment trust. Some 45 people work in its Athens area office.

The Plum Creek Foundation gives generously to education projects, he said, as well as to health services projects.

"We want to help local folks have a better life," he said.

Shea assured him that the new washers and dryers will do that for the shelter's residents. Six families may stay in the facility for as long as two years, working on building a nest egg in order to be self sufficient when they leave. And they all have clothes to wash.