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 By  Michael Hansberry Published 
8:33 pm Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Woman starts cleaning ministry for wounded soldiers

When Helen Pirl, owner of Helen’s Cleaning Service, decided she wanted to give back to local military veterans, she had no idea where to start.

After throwing ideas back and forth, it finally hit her. She decided to do what she does best… clean.

Pirl is offering two to three hours of cleaning once a month, free of charge, for those who have been injured while in battle.

“This will help them mentally, physically and spiritually in recovering then when they are on their feet,” Pirl said. “It lets them know that someone like me does care about them and they are not forgotten.”

Pirl’s son is in the Army and is stationed in Afghanistan. She said her heart goes out to him and the other soldiers who are protecting the freedoms for all American.

“They have to leave their homes and families to serve and fight in a fearing country,” she said. “Then they come home and some are wounded mentally and physically.  You never hear anything else about these soldiers who are suffering.  But, if a celebrity is hurt, you will hear about this for months to come.”

Pirl got her start cleaning in October 2000 while living in Ohio. She cleaned as a side job, but after she was laid off from her regular job, she took it up full time.

She moved to Huntsville in late 2010 and started cleaning homes again in April of 2011.

“The reason why I decided to start a cleaning ministry for them is because they are forgotten,” Pirl said. “When they come back from war, they are paid so little compared to other professions.”

She said she the least she could do to help out was cleaning for them.

“This may bring a soldier out of his mental and physical depression,” she said. “My heart goes out to the soldiers and their families, they feel like they were forgotten.  Some have little family and some end up on the streets because they cant function in the real world.”
To reach Pirl for her services, call (256) 722-5456 or by email at Pirl31@aol.com.

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