Charlie’s Wishes for Veterans, a new Ohio-based nonprofit, is supporting veterans through program that grants wishes for retiring service members. (Wikimedia Commons)
(Tribune News Service) — A new nonprofit based in Elyria, Ohio, is bringing hope and practical assistance to aging veterans throughout the community with a program that grants wishes for service members as they retire.
Shalon Rogers, executive director of Charlie’s Wishes for Veterans, presented its mission to the Elyria City Council this week while seeking broader community engagement for its veteran-focused initiative.
The nonprofit emerged from Rogers’ personal commitment to honor two influential military men in her life — her father, an Air Force veteran, and her uncle, an Army Ranger who completed three tours in Vietnam. Both were named Charlie, inspiring the organization’s name.
“They were quiet heroes who carried the weight of their service with pride, but also with pain,” Rogers told the council. “And like so many veterans, they didn’t ask for much, just respect and to be remembered.”
Rogers said she made them a promise to preserve their legacy by honoring and helping veterans. That promise has transformed into a mission serving veterans across the community.
Charlie’s Wishes for Veterans grants wishes that are often modest in cost but profound in meaning. In just a few months since its founding, the nonprofit has already completed nearly a dozen wishes. The requests have ranged from practical home improvements like replacing bathroom fixtures, installing grab bars and completing deck construction, to roofing and landscaping projects.
“We make those moments happen. But this need is far greater than many people realize,” Rogers said. “According to the United States Census Bureau, over 50% of veterans in the United States are over the age of 65. That’s more than 9 million aging heroes.”
Because the nonprofit relies entirely on community support, it’s actively seeking donations to fund more projects, such as support from local businesses interested in sponsoring specific wishes. Rogers said individual wishes typically cost between $100 and several thousand dollars, depending on the specific need.
Beyond funding, Charlie’s Wishes encourages community members to identify veterans who might benefit from assistance. Rogers stressed that anyone may nominate a veteran, recognizing that many veterans may be hesitant to ask for help themselves.
“If you know a veteran, if you yourself are a veteran, we would be honored to help in any way that we can,” Rogers said. “This isn’t just about how veterans live. It’s about how they’re remembered and it’s about how we thank them.”
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