By PAIGE CARR

Staff writer

Nicci Rivera had no idea when she started her cleaning business, Your Cleaning Lady, eight years ago, that it would involve spreading selfless acts of kindness to others and building new friendships.

Rivera works full time offering cleaning services in Hillsboro, Newton, and Marion.

Although April 25 was a rainy, dreary day, Rivera’s big heart brought a bit of sunshine.

Hillsboro deputy city clerk Glenda Stoppel received a message from Kansas City resident Loran Smith that read:

“I wanted to reach out to you guys because you have a young lady who lives in your town by the name of Nicci Rivera. My wife and I were needing some help getting a couple of things done for a family member. She went above and beyond what she needed to do for anybody and helped us out in our moment of need.”

The note was a bright spot in a gloomy day.

“We loved the rain of course but thought it was a neat day to spread some sunshine,” Stoppel said.

Stoppel posted the message from Smith, along with granting Rivera a “sunshine award.”

Smith said that since utilizing Rivera’s services, their families have developed a special friendship, to the point of Smith and his wife serving as Rivera’s granddaughter’s godparents.

Not only did Rivera assist Smith’s family members, she also went above and beyond when he needed a helping hand. Smith has a back injury and Rivera offered to clean free of charge.

“Just because she knew we were having issues,” he said. “She reached out to me and just said, ‘hey, we’d like to do something for you.”’

Smith has developed a love for Hillsboro after visiting his new friends.

“Every time I’ve been to Hillsboro it’s been very welcoming,” he said.

Rivera often enlists the help of her daughter, Sky, on cleaning jobs. She said cleaning is therapeutic for her.

“A lot of people say when you do something for work, you’ll never want to do it at home,” Rivera said. “That’s not true for me, I just enjoy cleaning.”

Rivera, who is a mother of three and grandmother of one, said she isn’t used to all the attention she received from Smith, and was taken back with emotion.

“I literally started tearing up,” she said. “I was overwhelmed with joy to see that appreciation. I’m tearing up right now just thinking about it again, I wasn’t expecting that.”

More information about Your Cleaning Lady can be obtained by calling (620) 877-0925.