Wayne County’s free overnight Emergency Warming Center planned to reopen Friday, Nov. 29, through the morning of Tuesday, Dec. 3, if enough volunteers step forward to staff it.
Oak Park Pentecostals at 1920 Chester Blvd. in Richmond would open at 6 p.m. nightly when temperatures are to dip below 25 degrees.
Free transportation is available for those needing a ride. Cots are set up to offer a safe, warm sleeping place.
Guests would leave at 8 a.m. so cleaning could take place for the next night.
Donations of cleaning and hygiene supplies, food, and money are being accepted.
For more information about volunteering, staying, making a donation or other partnership opportunities, call 765-313-9670.
Volunteers can register for four-hour shifts at wwn.to/ewsvol.
Updates are posted on the “Emergency Warming Center – Richmond, IN” page on Facebook.
Donations can be made online at oakparkpentecostals.com/give by selecting “Warming Shelter” in the fund list.
The temporary shelter doesn’t have a consistent source of public or private funding.
Last year, 31 individuals volunteered at least one time and 12 volunteered more than five times.
Shelter was provided for more than 30 nights between late November and mid-March.
More than 25 people used the shelter at different times.
For more information about other Indiana warming centers, Hoosiers can call 211, 866-211-9966 or visit IN211.org.
Several Wayne County libraries, senior centers, churches and organizations such as volunteer fire departments provided free daytime and/or early evening warming stations last year.
For the 2023 list of sites, visit wwn.to/shelter.
It’s recommended to call a desired location to verify its current operating hours or ensure volunteers would be able to open a fire station before traveling there.
A version of this article appeared in the December 4 2024 print edition of the Western Wayne News.