I bought a Hygiene Center for Christmas (Rick Steves)

[FM123]

*Rick Steves really does restore my faith in humanity.....


(from his official FB page)

It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans. Then, about a month ago, I learned that the only hygiene center in my neighborhood was being shut down. The property was being sold...destined to be developed.

For an entire community of my down-and-out neighbors, this hygiene center is the only place to take a shower, wash clothes, repair a bike, or get a sweater, blanket, or hot meal…while also enjoying a little bit of community. And tragically, once a center like this is gone, it’s hard to imagine it popping up somewhere else in these NIMBY times.

It's an invisible need… an invisible center… helping invisible people. Meanwhile, I’m haunted by the invisible impact of the insatiable greed that’s so widespread (and sadly, celebrated) in our multi-millionaire and billionaire class. So, I purchased the center and the land it sits on — the best $2 million I can imagine spending.

snip

This is my Christmas gift to my homeless neighbors, to the volunteers who get great joy from helping them…and, yes, to myself. Merry Christmas to all!

(Read more) https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1470722191091033&set=a.280202056809725

[badhair77]

1. What a wonderful contribution.

Yes, gift things that can change people’s lives.

[FM123]

2. Yes. So true.

[highplainsdem]

3. He's a hero.

[flashman13]

8. He is the absolute definition of a hero.

[FM123]

21. Absolutely!

[FM123]

20. He certainly is in my book.

[DarthDem]

4. Heroic

And the answer to prayers. What a wonderful decision.

[FM123]

22. Yes, a wonderful and generous decision.

[UTUSN]

5. "*Rick Steves really does restore my faith in humanity....." - WORD!

[FM123]

23. Yes!

[erronis]

6. Rick Steves - the name was familiar but I don't watch any TV. Wikipedia - wow.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Steves#Political_and_civic_advocacy

[FadedMullet]

12. Wow indeed. I had no idea. See my comment #11 below. Thanks.

[FM123]

24. Wow is right.

Such a humanitarian!

[2naSalit]

7. COOLIO!!

I was just thinking about him a couple days ago and a past good deed he had done.

[FM123]

25. Yes, quite a few good deeds indeed.

[lark]

9. Maybe Nicole can interview him on her Best People podcast?

Sounds like he would be a good choice.

[FadedMullet]

18. That would be perfect, one good soul interviewing another good soul.

[lark]

45. Agree about both!

[FM123]

26. What a great idea!

[slightlv]

10. What a wonderful thing to do if you have the money... what a great way

to use the money! Takes a very special person... thank goodness there are still those around us like that.

[FM123]

27. Yes. A very special person!

[FadedMullet]

11. I've always liked Rick Steves and, to be honest, been envious of his life and work. This generous thing.....

......that he is doing for his less fortunate neighbors has instantly kicked him up in my esteem to a level of one of the lesser Saints. Or a real mensch. Good for him.

[Tommy Carcetti]

14. Common amongst many public media personas.

Rick Steeves, much like Fred Rogers, Bob Ross and Levar Burton, seems to exude a gentle goodness and calm in the work he broadcasts.

[FadedMullet]

15. That is a great observation. Kindness shows, doesn't it?

[FM123]

30. Yes, the kindness really shows through.

[FM123]

29. Yes, reminds me of them too.

[FM123]

28. Yes, his generosity is definitely next level.

[Cha]

13. Wow I just looked him up... Nice Guy!

A kind face and a Beautiful Attitude about Life and Humanity..

Thank you and Rick Steves!

[FM123]

31. Yes, such a good guy.

[eppur_se_muova]

16. Invisible is right !! I didn't know such things existed, though it seems like a fairly obvious benefit to society.

Steves keeps racking up so much kudos it's hard to keep up.

[FM123]

32. Yes, I too only learned about it when I read his article.

[calimary]

17. Angels among us.

That’s all I can say.

They spread their wings of love and protection during Christmas. Thank God for them, especially when some people need it most.

[FM123]

33. Yes, especially the ones who need it the most.

[liberalla]

19. I am crying now...

but I'm happy to read this and SO grateful for Rick Steves!

Thank you so much!

[FM123]

34. Me too. It really touched my heart.

[nilram]

35. Also a brief story here

https://www.king5.com/article/news/health/rick-steves-community-steps-lynnwood-hygiene-center/281-591c68c1-8180-4e1b-916d-95730c7b5168

and,
https://mymltnews.com/thanks-to-rick-steves-lynnwood-hygiene-center-has-a-permanent-home/

"If we don't have [$2.25 million] for a whole county to give homeless people a shower and a place to get out of the rain and a place to wash their clothes, what kind of society are we?" Steves said.

and his own op-ed on the purchase,
https://www.shorelineareanews.com/2025/12/alerted-by-my-edmonds-news-rick-steves.html

[calimary]

36. LOVE this!

It’s another really beautiful story for us all to savor, this Christmas! Thanks, nilram, for posting it.

[FM123]

50. Thanks for sharing that!

He is a community treasure indeed.

[blogslug]

37. kick!

🎄🦌

[FM123]

62. Thanks!

[betsuni]

38. Pacific Northwest Democrat! Time to watch "Rick Steves' European Christmas," a tradition.

[llmart]

42. So glad to know another DUer who watches Rick on PBS...

especially this program. I watch it every year also. It's so beautifully done.

I'm sort of shocked that some DUers haven't heard of him. His shows have always been some of my favorites.

[betsuni]

43. And his books are terrific! Only guidebook that was really helpful to me was his.

I'm also surprised some DUers haven't heard of him.

He's so positive and enthusiastic -- sees things that need to be done and does them.

[FM123]

61. Yes, I take his guidebooks with me on travels too.

[karynnj]

63. I second that

when we were still traveling, I found it so much better to use following his tour suggests than signing up for group tours. We could move at our own pace, spending more time when something interested us and less if it didn't. The last we used was his Madrid book where the paths through the center city were great.

[FM123]

52. Love his shows!

[FM123]

51. Yes, perfect time to watch that show!

[shanti]

39. One of the good guys

Most don't know of his philanthropy. Betcha a tour with him as leader would be a blast.

[FM123]

60. Def one of the good guys!

[MadameButterfly]

40. wow

[FM123]

59. Yep!

[pfitz59]

41. He is a wonderful man

and a boon to Snohomish County

[FM123]

58. Yes,

I read that he does so much for his beloved county.

[jaymac]

44. Wish

I had a couple a mill laying around to do good work.......havta settle on a couple a hundred.

[FM123]

57. Yep, I wish that too.

[Wild blueberry]

46. A real mensch

Thank you.

[FM123]

56. He sure is!

[niyad]

47. Thank you for sharing, and for starting my day with a moment of joy.

[FM123]

53. You are so welcome.

It really brought joy to my heart when I read about him.

[niyad]

64. I have already shared it widely.

[Texin]

48. Steves is the epitome of humanitarianism.

[FM123]

55. Yes! Such a humanitarian!

[bagimin]

49. We deserve a president like Rick!

or at least one with his heart.

[FM123]

54. Yes, a good heart for sure!

[ms.pamela]

65. Thank you

Mr. Steves that is such a lovely gift to your community and to the people who need the services.

[FM123]

68. Yes, such a lovely thing to do for them!

[Amaryllis]

66. Just saw this. I recommend a repost later today or tomorrow for those who haven't yet seen it since it will

drop off greatest soon. It is so uplifting and we can all use that!

[FM123]

69. Yes, so uplifting. It brought tears to my eyes when I first read what he did.

[Devilsun]

67. What a great gesture. Kudos Mr. Steves!!!

[FM123]

70. I agree, such a great gesture.

[liberalla]

71. Sadddened, "...how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans."

I kept thinking about this sentence... I particularly like the word 'unhoused' (vs. 'housed'). It's neutral and doesn't carry a negative connotation. It's not accusatory. I've noticed 'homeless' is sometimes used as a slur or statement of moral character. I'm going to try to use unhoused more in future conversations.

I want to thank and acknowledge Rick Steves for his compassion, generosity and humanity. He's made a huge difference in his community.

[FM123]

72. Yes, that statement struck a chord with me too.

And you're right about his choice of words, really does make a difference.