The mission of a local gift shop has been affected by the closure of a road to housing for the elderly in need.
The shop’s owner, Joseph Rohner, once served in the Navy; now, he oversees a veteran’s rest shelter supported by a thrift store and gift shop in Bay City,
“The purpose of our shelter is to help people achieve that freedom,” Rohner said. “To help people break out of the rut they are in and get back on their feet and achieve complete independence in as little time as possible.”
Rohner said times have been tough as the biggest part of them being able to fund the shelter through donations has been disrupted due to road closures. The shop is located at the corner of N Henry Street and E Midland Street with a section that is closed to vehicular traffic.
“We haven’t really received any funding for the last about eight months,” Rohner said.
Rohner and his wife are both personally funding the space, but they need donations to help keep it running.
“What we do here, we pay the utilities, we do it a little better, it’s a home for them,” said Bruce Douglas, commander of Veterans’ Leisure. “We have a washer and dryer; They wash their clothes, so they come and go. We try to get them a job within a few weeks after they leave. ,
Although it takes a few extra steps to get to the store due to closure, Douglas said it’s worth it for our veterans.
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