Local angels provide a warm place to those in need on freezing nights

By GEORGE CUSTER/Editor  —  It’s six o’clock and the temperature is already heading toward freezing. The warming center at the Greenwaters Park community building has people waiting to be let in for the night. The doors are opened. These people, who would otherwise have no shelter for the night, are visibly grateful for the night’s lodging and a hot meal.

As this night’s guests entered, they are met with smiling, caring faces. The volunteers who greet them understand that their predicaments are as varied as the clouds in the sky. Cots, arranged for by Lane County and donated by Cabela’s, are situated along the walls. Blankets are available. Some bring their own. Two tables and several chairs are set in the middle of the room. There are some games on the tables. The tables and chairs also serve as a dining room. A large pot of beef stew has just been brought in for the evening meal. The stew, of course, has been donated as well.

Planning, more planning, and then implementation

Kathy Holston, the lead volunteer for the warming center project, was busy for the first few minutes while I waited to interview her. Between making sure the facility was in order for receiving, coordinating tasks with the other volunteers, she spoke with and answered questions from the lodgers. After a few minutes, however, she sat down at the table with me. She immediately started pulling out copies of all the documents that had been created to support the center. It’s as if she knew what I would be asking her.

More volunteers are encouraged to sign up

When asked how many volunteers are currently working the warming center, she said fourteen. Without taking a breath, she interjected that they “always need more”. There are three shifts of two persons per shift to cover each night that the weather is predicted to be below freezing. A wind chill can easily push an otherwise warmer temperature to below freezing.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Susan Hardy helping to serve the nightly meal prepared and brought by Mrs. Schwarm and Kathy. Between servings, they conversed with the guests while I had Kathy tied up for the moment. Heather Hensley was also seen preparing for her shift. Susan, Kathy, Peggy Marconi, Ken Wright, and Bob Obermeyer make up the “committee” that is the warming center project. Nothing formal: just members of our community who care enough to donate their time and effort to helping those less fortunate.

Move in, move out, move back in again…

Oakridge City Council waved the rental fee for the use of the community building with conditions. The facility is still available for rent during the day. When that occurs, the warming center volunteers have to be prepared to remove and store its belongings at another site. To remedy this cumbersome situation, the Oakridge High School is building a storage shed. It will be placed near the community building once City Administrator, James Cleavenger, determines the exact spot.

This is not your ordinary shed

The woodshop students are building something more akin to a tiny home. Ed Mooneyhan, woodshop teacher at the high school, gave Holston a preview of the work in progress. She said that when she saw it that she “was speechless”. The framed structure has a small front porch, an angled roof and three window. A shed above!, by any standard- great job OHS woodworkers!

On the business side

The warming center can accept monetary donations through the Upper Willamette Community Development Corporation (UWCDC) at P.O. box 677, Oakridge, OR 97463. Though the warming center currently has a small amount of donated funds to date, most of the volunteers have stretched the budget by donating supplies and food.

Holston summed up the centers mission by reiterating that “While there may be greater resources available in the metro area, the folks we serve feel safe here in Oakridge. Oakridge has a big heart and takes care their own.”

What they need

Donations of easily washed twin size blankets, warm socks, and warm gloves are especially appreciated. Coats will be accepted at the Oakridge Methodist Church. Tink Blankenship coordinates the coat drive for the warming center through there.

Lastly, there is a GoFundMe page https://gofund.me/8bc680c1