“Love must be put into action”

HANOVER COUNTY, Virginia – To help those in need, a local church is bringing its quality of care directly to the streets of its community with a mobile shower trailer.

It was a passion project that Life Church in Mechanicsville worked on for years.

“We believe that love needs to be put into action, and that’s what we’re doing here,” said Rodney Spangler, a member of the church’s outreach team. “We love people and we want to help people. We just think this is a great way to show our love to those in the community who need it.”

The trailer is divided into two areas and has a total of five showers and two sinks.

“It’s air-conditioned for the summer, which is helpful, and it’s heated for the winter,” says Chuck Pauley, who is also part of the team that made this vision a reality.

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Pauley said the trailer was originally built by another church shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I walked by there and the church wasn’t using it anymore. One day I stopped there and prayed and said, ‘God, if you can find a way, we can use this,'” Pauley said. “Everyone deserves dignity, respect and love.”

The completion and mission of the trailer is something that is very close to Pauley’s heart.

“When I was younger, I spent a lot of time on the streets of Richmond for about five years and saw the need. It was very moving to see it come to fruition,” he said. “That’s the whole mission for me, to make sure this is used for people who have been forgotten or overlooked.”

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The church already has a truck to transport the trailer and is now looking for parking spaces with water and electricity connections.

“We are looking for partners in the city with whom we can set up the mobile shower trailer,” said Spangler.

Both said they hope to also fill the trailer with supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths and towels.

If you would like to make donations of goods or money to this cause, you can contact the church at 804-746-5433 or by email at [email protected].

The location of the trailer will also be posted on their website: LifeRVA.org