YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

2019 Men of the Year: Todd Edwards

Lloyds Dry Cleaners LLC

Posted online

Todd Edwards is more than just a business owner of Lloyds Dry Cleaners LLC, which he first purchased in 2001. He’s also a philanthropist involved in a handful of organizations.

He co-founded Champions Committed to Kids in December 2009, has been a board member of Care to Learn-Ozark since 2011, co-founded the Catholic Business Network of the Ozarks in 2013 and in 2015 held a rally to raise funds for a wounded police officer.

The Champions Committed to Kids charity began after a stint in gymnastics event planning.

“In 2007, I was given the opportunity to assist Jeff Collins with the Missouri Winter Games gymnastics event that was held at the Springfield Convention Center. It was an event attended by the Springfield and surrounding areas of gymnastic groups who gathered to perform and compete in front of a packed house,” Edwards says.

Champions Committed to Kids’ mission is to “develop champions by creating a special bond between children with medical conditions and/or disabilities with local athletic teams as they inspire each other.” The organization, which hopes the athletes and children will learn from and inspire one another, has partnered with hospitals and other institutions.

“Our hospital partners include CoxHealth, Mercy and many other children’s organizations in southwest Missouri. Participating athletic teams include Missouri State University, Drury University, Evangel University, Baptist Bible College, School of the Ozarks, and 15 local and area high schools. Professional teams such as the Springfield Cardinals also lend a hand,” he says.

In March 2015, Edwards created the Show Our Support Rally for Springfield Police Officer Aaron Pearson, who was shot while on duty that January.

“The purpose was to raise money for him and his family to live as normal a lifestyle as possible without a financial burden, while he recovered from the gunshot wound he suffered while on duty,” he says. “Once the plan was initiated, many people came forward to help in many ways.”

Held at Bass Pro Shops’ White River Conference Center, the event included a live telethon and auction hosted by KOLR 10 that raised nearly $80,000 for Officer Pearson’s family.

Edwards says Lloyds Dry Cleaners also has created charitable projects for Isabel’s House and the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.

Lloyds Dry cleaners has four locations in Springfield, with the primary facility at 3104 S. Golden Ave.

Edwards got into the dry cleaning industry in 2001, but sold the company in 2007. He bought the company back in 2011 with his partner, Caleb Matlock. Edwards took full ownership of the company a few years ago after Matlock sold his portion of the business. Edwards says Matlock still works for the company managing its various plants and overseeing machinery and cleaning.

Edwards says he has strived to make the company as green as possible and has been seeing the pickup and delivery portion of the business expanding.

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
Business Spotlight: The Right Focus

Helping people is the foremost purpose in business for Angela Stephens. The idea for Re-Focus the Creative Office was born to help her son, Drake Stephens, who had started struggling in school in fifth grade.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences