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A Staff Report

White Oak, NC – The Tenth Annual Roger’s Wish Project, a heartwarming initiative organized by Jeffrey Bryan, is about to kick off in style. Set to run from September 27 to October 27 at the Bladen County Public Library in Elizabethtown, this beloved event aims to bring warmth to those in need. On November 3, during regular library hours, the project will culminate in the distribution of new or gently used blankets, sleeping bags, and winter wear items, including hoodies, gloves, winter hats, and socks.

If you’d like to contribute to this noble cause and prefer to mail your donations, please send them to the following address:

Bladen County Public Library

C/O Roger’s Wish Project

PO Box 1419

Elizabethtown, NC 28337

Excitement is building as Bryan shares, “Donations are already coming in.”

The origins of this heartwarming blanket drive trace back to 2013 when the late Roger Grunder, an Elizabethtown resident, initiated the Roger’s Wish Project. Roger had spent 19 years experiencing homelessness and understood firsthand the hardships faced during the bitter winter months. His mission was to ensure that others didn’t have to suffer the same fate.

Roger received invaluable support from his friend Curt Vincent of the Bladen Journal. Sadly, just three weeks into the project, Roger tragically lost his life in a single car accident in Elizabethtown.

However, Roger’s legacy of compassion and warmth lives on through the caring community. Since caring individuals decided to carry forward Roger’s mission, over the past decade, Roger’s Wish has gathered and distributed over a thousand donated items from a generous and caring public.

Roger Grunder was known for his selflessness and his unwavering commitment to helping those in need. According to Bryan, Roger possessed a heart of gold and a deep-seated desire to make a difference in the lives of those around him.

The Bladen County Library will gladly accept your donations of new or gently used blankets, sleeping bags, and winter apparel. Sheila Nance, Director of the library, has confirmed that the distribution of donations will take place on November 3 at the main library campus located at 111 N. Cypress Street in Elizabethtown. However, donations can be dropped off at any Bladen County Library location, making it easier than ever to participate in this heartwarming act of kindness.

If you are an individual or family in need of housing assistance due to homelessness, please contact the NC United Way by calling 2-1-1 or visiting their website NC211.