Volunteers needed for Salvation Army warming shelter in Longview
Overnight subfreezing temperatures expected to continue into next week
I grew up in the mountains of northern New Jersey, and back then the winters were frigid enough that the lake below our home usually froze over for nearly three months.
Yet I rarely felt as cold then as I do now during the wet days that chill Southwest Washington for much of the winter. In these parts, the moisture seems to carry the cold right into your bones.
This is one reason why warming shelters for the homeless are so important even in areas with mild climates, like ours. Here is your chance to keep the homeless from suffering or even dying from exposure to the cold.
The Longview Salvation Army needs volunteers to continue staffing the city’s warming weather shelter during the ongoing cold snap.
The shelter opened on Sunday, January 12 and will reman open until low daily temperatures edge above 33 degrees, according to a city of Longview press release.
Weather Service meteorologists predict that overnight lows in the upper 20-degree range will persist until at least the middle of next week. Daytime highs will be in the low 40s, according to the agency.
The shelter is located in the McClelland Arts Center, 951 Delaware St., Longview, and is operated by the Salvation Army. To volunteer, email Hollie.Hillman@usw.salvationarmy.org or call 360-747-3375.
Volunteers are needed for several shifts and roles. No prior experience is required, and all necessary training will be provided on site, according to the press release.
The shelter is open from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily.
For more information about permitted severe weather shelters, contact the Longview Public Works Department at 360-442-5200.
I hope this helps. The need is great and this damp cold weather is brutal.
As someone who is from New England, my husband and I were just discussing this. We're clearly used to extreme cold and snow, but lately the cold temps here have felt unbearable. A very important post, thank you. I made a monetary donation to help, as volunteering right now for me is hard with a young child and zero family here to help. I hope people who can feel inspired to do so.