ELIZABETHTOWN — Roger’s Wish is returning this fall.
The Bladen Journal will partner with Maria Bryant and the Bladen County Public Library to make the 2013 idea of Roger Grunder a reality once more. New and gently used blankets and sleeping bags can be donated throughout September and October for the cause, then will be distributed to the needy in early November.
Grunder was a fixture in Elizabethtown, a homeless man by choice for the final 19 years of his life. It was in the summer of 2013 that he talked of a blanket and sleeping bag drive to benefit the area homeless and needy.
He died in a car crash just as the Bladen Journal partnered with him the first year.
The newspaper, formerly with larger facilities on West Broad Street, was the drop-off and distribution point through 2017. Last year, Hurricane Florence arrived just before it was time for the annual drive. With it came water down the walls, and the newspaper essentially going “homeless” itself for four weeks until relocating at 109 N. Pine St. the first week of October.
Due to space available at the newspaper, or lack of it, Bryant — Grunder’s sister — has sought out and found a partner to the cause. Kelsy Edwards and the staff at the Elizabethtown location of the county public library will join in the effort.
Collections are open now through Oct. 18 at the library, 111 N. Cypress St. The hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday each day from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
Distribution is scheduled for Nov. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until donations run out.
In past years, this has been an opportunity for church groups, youth groups, school groups, company groups, etc., to participate in a month-long challenge to collect blankets and sleeping bags.
More information is available by calling the newspaper at 910-862-4163 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.