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COMMUNITY SERVICE World Changers to help homeowners in need Religious organization is starting projects in Grants Pass and Rogue River on Monday Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Social News ROGUE RIVER — Nearly 200 local "world changers" will descend on the cities of Rogue River and Grants Pass this week on a mission to upgrade and repair properties for community members in need. The effort, spearheaded by the national service mission organization World Changers, will host some 16 projects ranging from landscaping installations and fence building to painting and general cleanup as part of the first annual Rogue River World Changers event. Jill Stickler, association coordinator for Rogue River World Changers and a member of Grace Baptist Church in Rogue River, said members of the church had participated in the World Changers effort years past in nearby Winston and wanted to bring the effort to their own hometown. Founded in 1990 in Tennessee, the national organization conducts weeklong efforts in some 60 to 70 communities nationwide each year and is free to homeowners, who are selected through an application process based on need. The organization provides a project coordinator, a construction coordinator and a small staff to help coordinate teen labor while local contractors provide additional expertise and businesses get on board by sponsoring meals or supplies. Projects will kick off Monday with the program's trademark "send off," complete with a red carpet and bubbles, and be completed within the week. Stickler said a handful of local churches had signed on to participate and that she was excited to see the organization host an event in the Rogue Valley. "We went to a world changers project in Winston two years in a row and we were really impressed with it, so we filled out an application to see if they would come to Rogue River," Stickler said. "We did an application process throughout the last year and spread the word via Facebook and through different churches so we would have all the jobs lined up. It's open to anyone who needs help. Some of it is low-income (people), but also seniors or other individuals who just aren't able to get something done on their own." Rogue River resident Autumn Cogdill said she looked forward to her third year participating in the summer mission effort. "We get to help do projects for needy people who can't do it for themselves, sometimes they're older or disabled people or something like that," said the teen. "We basically spend five days working, painting, doing fences and we do devotionals within our group and get to help people who need it and show that we care about our community. It's a great way to spread the gospel to our community." Nineteen-year-old Heaven Lane, also of Rogue River, said the projects were about far more than manual labor and home improvement. "It's neat to run into people who remember us doing projects for people they care about and knowing that we made a difference by just wanting to help. I feel like this really brings the community together," Lane said. "We get to see other churches pitch in and community members help us by donating lunch and working with the teams. The community really becomes a whole and works toward this together. It's such a testament to what a close knit community Rogue River really is." On the web, www.lifeway.com/worldchangers/ —Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected] By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 20, 2016 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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