A Livingston man has the goal of pressure washing all of Livingston’s sidewalks for free, in an effort to better his own mental health.
Michael Cummings is the owner a local pressure washing company and a former EMT. After leaving his career in emergency services a decade ago, he transitioned into disaster relief work before returning to his hometown to offer his services at no cost.
“I feel like a clean community is kind of like a clean house. If your house isn’t clean, you’re not in a good mental state,” Cummings said. “So for me personally, battling PTSD and major depressive disorder, having a dirty area, it doesn’t really help me. So pretty much I’m outworking my demons and you guys are just kind of benefiting from it.”
Cummings said he began his journey into pressure washing about two years ago after searching for a new way to help people. Cummings said he has traveled to locations such as Swannanoa, North Carolina, and Kerrville, Texas, to clear mud and debris following floods and natural disasters.
“I feel like if you’re in a good enough position that you could help other people, people that are in need, that definitely boosts up their morale and help their journey to provide for themselves and for the community around them,” Cummings said. “And if one good act of kindness helps one person, that’s just a ripple effect down the road for everybody else.”
Cummings said he funds his community efforts using his monthly disability income. Cummings said he is able to provide the free labor because he previously paid off his equipment and personal expenses.
“I feel like as long as you’re constantly moving, not sitting around, that’s really when you start dwelling on the past and all the bad things that are going on with you,” Cummings said. “So as long as you find a good outlet that is beneficial to you and to other people, I definitely feel like that’s a huge thing that, again, it’s just that ripple effect to yourself as well, where it also boosts up your own confidence and helps prove to yourself that, you know, you’re making progress.”
Cummings said the local response has been positive, with residents waving and honking as he works. Cummings said he intends to continue his work until he has cleaned every sidewalk in Livingston.
“I’m going to continue cleaning up Livingston. My plans are to do the entire city, sidewalk to sidewalk,” Cummings said. “And just keep myself busy. My main passion is the disaster relief work. So I’m just gearing up and ready to go for the next mission, wherever that may come.”
Cummings said he encourages others facing similar mental health struggles to find a personal mission and remain open about their experiences.
“I would just start off by saying that as long as you keep waking up each morning with a mission statement that’s your own, just keep driving for it and be honest and open with everybody and tell your story no matter what,” Cummings said. “Because that’s only going to make life better for yourself. Just keep pushing. That’s it.”