PHOTO COURTESY OF HERMISTON WARMING STATION
Where do the homeless go on cold winter nights?
It’s a question many of us ask and the answer for the past few years has been the Hermiston Warming Station – a service run by local volunteers. But the Hermiston Warming Station is in jeopardy this year due to a lack of an available building.
In the past, the warming station has been at the former Curves fitness building in Hermiston, but it is no longer an option and Hermiston Warming Station Board Chairwoman Carol Johnson says time is running out.
“We don’t have anything solid right now and it’s getting to be a concern,” Johnson said.
The mission of the warming station is to make sure homeless people in Hermiston have a safe, warm place to stay indoors during winter nights when the temperature hits 32 degrees or colder. The station runs from November through March.
The station is run by a coalition of community members representing religious congregations, nonprofit support service providers, local government agencies and concerned citizens. There is a great need for the station, said Johnson. Last year, the station served 43 different individuals. Those without a place to stay during winter nights can check in each night between 7 and 9 p.m. and can stay until morning. They receive a healthy snack, visit with others and have a warm place to sleep. The station volunteers then provide referrals for local resources if needed.
The station is funded entirely through community donations. During the winter, Johnson seeks help in the community to provide the station with its needs.
“Each morning, I send out an e-mail listing three things we need that particular day,” she said. “And they just show up. It’s great. We run on a really low budget and keep things down to earth.”
The Hermiston Warming Station has received grants from Wildhorse Resort & Casino, Capeco and Umatilla Electric Cooperative.
Johnson and volunteer Robert Davis had a booth Saturday at the Family Health & Fitness Day at Hermiston High School recruiting volunteers. Last year, the station had 61 volunteers during the winter months. Some volunteer a night or two a week, others volunteer whenever they can.
But the biggest need facing the station this year is a location to serve as a shelter for the winter. Anyone who may know of a building in Hermiston that can be used this winter as a shelter should contact Johnson at 541-720-4295 or e-mail her at warmingstation@gmail.com. Visit the Hermiston Warming Station website for more information.
