Molly Maid Takes a Stand for Domestic Violence Awareness

Leading National Residential Cleaning Franchise Raising Funds for Community Organizations

ANN ARBOR, MI - National cleaning franchise Molly Maid is doing their part to help foster awareness of the growing number of domestic violence victims nationwide. During October's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, many franchise owners donated a portion of service fees from each home that Molly Maid cleans to the Ms. Molly Foundation. Ms. Molly is a non-profit charity which provides assistance to local domestic violence shelters and organizations across the country.

"Nearly one in four women is affected by domestic violence, and all too often, these women are forced to leave their homes and relocate with none of their belongings," said Molly Maid President Kristi Mailloux. "Giving back to the communities we service is a core belief of Molly Maid, and we predict that this year's 'Making a Difference Drive' will be the most successful yet."

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, approximately 1.3 million women are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. Through the Making a Difference Drive, Molly Maid hopes to raise more than $150,000 in goods and monetary contributions. The 450-unit franchise anticipates more than 70-percent participation from their franchise system to help the company reach their goal.

"Now more than ever, community organizations need our help," said Mailloux. "Our customers continue to show outstanding generosity during the Make a Difference Drive, and I believe that this year's drive will be even more successful than the last."

The Ms. Molly foundation raised a record-setting $127,500 is 2008, which was distributed to nearly 100 shelters across the country. Since its inception in 1996, the foundation has raised more than $725,000 for local domestic violence shelters throughout the United States and Canada.

Molly Maid, a leading residential cleaning service franchise with more than 5,000 signature navy and pink cars on the road, finished 2008 with five percent increase in sales over the previous year. In addition, the company welcomed 18 new franchisees across the country, and an additional 17 existing franchise owners invested in expanding their territories.

About Molly Maid

Molly Maid, based in Ann Arbor, MI, is one of three service companies under Service Brands International. The residential cleaning franchise, ranked number one in the United States, was founded in 1979 and began franchising in 1984. Currently, over 450 Molly Maid units are operating in the United States alone, with an additional 300 operating throughout Puerto Rico, Canada, Japan, England and Portugal. Molly Maid has consistently ranked well in Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 rankings, currently at number 104. Molly Maid has also been the recipient of numerous awards for entrepreneurialism, software innovation and humanitarian causes, including the Ms. Molly Foundation, which collects money and goods for safe houses and shelters for victims of domestic violence.

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