Cold nights are here, and the NewsRadio WGNS Blanket Brigade is again handing out new blankets and new sleeping bags to help homeless persons stay alive.

With the thought of being a Good Neighbor, many years ago a listener suggested that the radio station give out blankets to homeless as a way to help them survive freezing temps. That person's dream has continued now for more than two decades, and is known as the NewsRadio WGNS Blanket Brigade.

This is a great opportunity for church groups, neighbors, civic organizations, scout groups and other concerned citizens to donate the new blankets OR new sleeping bags that are given to homeless persons in this area.

During cold weather months--they really need your help to survive.

Sleeping bags are even better than blankets for the homeless, so that is why WGNS added the needed item to our list of supplies for area homeless.

Where do you drop off the items?

Please bring new blankets OR new sleeping bags by NewsRadio WGNS at 306 South Church Street, we're next door to the Murfreesboro Police Department. There is a large bin for the blankets and sleeping bags in the interior entrance to the radio station.

Why NEW Only?

For health reasons, WGNS only hands out NEW items to lessen the chance that any germs, bedbugs or mites are handed off to the homeless.

Used sleeping bags and blankets carry with them dead skin cells, dust mites, bedbugs, oils from your body, sweat, bodily fluids and more. Since there is no way of verifying what has been properly cleaned and what has not, WGNS will only collect NEW items. There is no reason to give a homeless person in our community additional problems to battle on the street that could negatively impact their immune system and overall health.