{"id":27909,"date":"2026-10-01T20:52:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T20:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/?p=27909"},"modified":"2026-10-01T20:53:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T20:53:43","slug":"troy-member-is-community-gem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brethren.org\/news\/2026\/troy-member-is-community-gem\/","title":{"rendered":"Troy Church of the Brethren member named \u2018community gem\u2019 for founding laundry ministry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Beverly Johnston (at right) with clients at the Troy Church of the Brethren’s laundry ministry in 2021. This photo accompanied a <\/em>Messenger magazine article about the ministry in the December 2021 issue. Photo courtesy of Troy Church of the Brethren<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\u201cTroy woman lights up about laundry outreach\u201d<\/strong> is the title of a Dayton Daily News<\/em> article<\/a> about a laundry ministry of Troy (Ohio) Church of the Brethren<\/a>. Beverly Johnston, a 75-year-old retired nurse, in July was named as a \u201cDayton Daily News Community Gem\u201d for founding her church\u2019s laundry ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The laundry outreach ministry<\/a> started in 2019 and over the years has grown to serve many people in the community who do not have their own washer and dryer or who cannot afford expensive laundromat costs. Johnston, who is just one of the volunteers who make the ministry possible, told the newspaper that this year the ministry is on track to spend at least $22,000 helping the community afford to wash their clothes and bedding. Funds come from a variety of community and church organizations including Southern Ohio and Kentucky District<\/a>. Laundry sessions are twice a month and may include education about how to do laundry and organize loads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnston\u2019s friend Mary Ann Cornell, who nominated her for the community recognition, reported to Newsline that the ministry \u201chas been so successful that another church has begun a similar service in another community.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find more Church of the Brethren news:<\/p>\n\n\n