PHOTO COURTESY OF HERMISTON WARMING STATION
Despite temperatures that are expected to drop well below freezing tonight, the Hermiston Warming Station will not be open.
“I am sad to say that we are not able to open tonight – even though the temperature is projected to dip into the 20s – due to a lack of volunteers signed up for shifts tonight,” said Carol Johnson, chairwoman of the warming station.
Johnson said there must be at least two volunteers supervising the warming station throughout the night in order to serve the homeless. Johnson said the station is seeking more volunteers to enable the station to be open on nights when the temperatures are 32 degrees or lower. Training sessions are held at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 665 E. Gladyis Ave., in Hermiston and are scheduled for the following dates and times:
• Sunday, Dec. 8, from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 15, from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The warming station runs three shifts per night. The location for the warming station during December will be the New Hope Community Church, 1350 S. Highway 395. The Hermiston Warming Station provides a safe, warm place to stay during the night for people experiencing homelessness.
The warming station is also seeking donations of disposable bowls and cups, bottled water and coffee creamer. Donated items can be dropped off between 6:30 and 7 p.m. each night the station is open. The Hermiston Warming Station is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization under St. John’s Episcopal Church and donations are tax deductible. Financial donations can be sent to HWS, P.O. Box 433, Hermiston, Ore., 97838.
For more information about volunteering, call Barb and Tim Leque at 541-571-2075.
