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By Dena Wood
The Times 

'Lord's Laundry' in Planning Stages

Community members are invited to help meet area need

 


WAITSBURG – What do you do when you have an idea that just won’t go away? That’s what Pam Conover has been asking herself about the idea of starting a “Lord’s Laundry” in Waitsburg.

She finally decided to go public with the idea that “just won’t go away” to see what kind of community interest there might be in the project.

Conover said the idea of opening a laundromat in Waitsburg first came up during a women’s Sunday School class discussion at the Christian Church. A group of ladies were brainstorming things that were needed in the community and the idea of a laundromat was at the top of the list, she said.

The closest laundry facility to Starbuck, Prescott, Waitsburg, and Dayton is in Walla Walla; a minimum of 20 miles away. That makes it pretty difficult for people who don’t have washers and dryers to keep their clothing clean, she said.

“It would meet the need for everyone in the community, but especially for those people that don’t have facilities where they live, if they’re in an apartment or mobile home park,” Conover said.

As she discussed the idea with more people, the possibilities grew. The laundry could also bring part-time employment opportunities and the building could be used as a meeting place for groups, book clubs, Bible studies, and possibly even an after-school program.

The Waitsburg Resource Center board has discussed the idea of offering cards or coupons that would include a certain amount of washer and dryer time each month.

Conover spoke to Bob and Kathy Patton, who own the former Delta Connection building at the north end of Main Street, which is already plumbed as a laundromat, and they were thrilled with the idea. Conover said they told her they had been praying that the building would be used for God’s glory.

Conover has also touched base with a number of community organizations and businesses, including Sherwood Trust, the Blue Mountain Community Foundation, the Blue Mountain Action Council, Dept. of Health and Human Services and Tompkins Appliance Service.

“No one said it was a bad idea,” she said. Sherwood Trust encouraged her to develop a business plan so they could see where they could help, and the Blue Mountain Community Foundation suggested talking with a tax person to decide what the program would look like. The others all said they would likely be able to provide assistance as well.

Conover said she isn’t sure what to do next. The project would need its own board and would need to register as a nonprofit, though she said she learned that an organization can be both nonprofit and for-profit.

“With budgets, employment, machines, staffing, mechanics, insurance, community use, and so much more, there is a lot to consider. At this point, I’m just putting the idea out there to see if there is interest and if anything comes of it,” she said.

Anyone with feedback, ideas, willingness to volunteer, or input of any kind is invited to call Pam Conover at (509) 337-8876.

 

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