Simplified: Joe Stanford opened Dream Home Appliance and Beds in June alongside his wife. Within a few months, the couple has already shown their commitment to giving back to the community – including a special gift for a local family.

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Stanford knows what it's like to receive a gift in a time of need.

• As a young child in the mid-80s, he was placed in a foster home courtesy of Lutheran Social Services – a placement that ultimately led to his adoption.

So when he heard from an LSS employee about a family in need of a washer and dryer, he saw a perfect opportunity to lend a helping hand.

"They gave me a life-changing event, and I gave away a washer and dryer," Stanford said. "I wish I had something spectacular to say."

But to Kevin Alvarez, a refugee who settled in Sioux Falls about five months ago, and his wife and young children, that washer and dryer really was a life-changing gift.

• Alvarez and his wife, Katherine had been walking to a nearby laundromat whenever they needed clean clothes – a walk made extra difficult because they were juggling their laundry and two young children.

The couple was worried about how they would continue to make this work during the cold winter months.

"It was very complicated because we had nothing to carry the (laundry) bags with, we have to carry them," Alvarez said. "And with the children – we have a two-and-a-half-year-old girl – so it was very complicated."

What happened next?

It was around September when Stanford was connected to the Alvarez family after an LSS employee gave a speech at his church.

"I was like, yeah, we have a washer and dryer I'd love to give to somebody right now," Stanford said.

He was in touch with LSS, and they'd agreed to donate the appliances with the family covering at least half of the delivery fee.

• But even that $75 charge was refunded once Stanford's delivery crew got to the couple's home and unloaded the washer and dryer.

"I told my guys to give that money back in cash," he said.

The delivery drivers did as instructed, and the family was set up with a quality washer and dryer at no charge to them.

"Something so common, every day, has changed (our lives) significantly and has made a big difference in our way of life," Alvarez said.

For Stanford, it was a full-circle moment to give back to the nonprofit that had given him so much as a child. But it was also an example of his commitment to giving back as a business owner.

"Every time the holidays hit, about the month and a half before, everybody becomes more gracious, more giving," Stanford said. "I’ve always had a problem with that, it needs to be all year."