BECKLEY, W.Va. – Planning is underway to once again open the doors to a warming center in the city of Beckley. The hope is to begin offering the potentially life-saving shelter on Dec. 1.
The safe haven from the cold will again be located inside the Beckley Community United Methodist Church located at 217 South Heber Street. The warming center will open to those who need it when temperatures reach 15 degrees or below.
“Over the past few years it’s been open quite a few evenings. It allows people to come in and have a hot meal, get something to drink and be able to shelter in a safe place over night,” said Trena Dacal, executive director for the United Way of Southern West Virginia.
The warming center will be open from 8 pm to 7 am the next morning. Dacal says cots, blankets and pillows will be supplied for those staying at the center over night.
She adds the center is still in great need for volunteers to staff the church when the center is open.
“It’s a completely volunteer initiative and we break it up into three overnight shifts and we also have an EMT on site but it takes a few people to keep it open and make it happen so we’re always looking for volunteers,” said Dacal.
Dacal says nine volunteers will be needed each night the warming center is open. A training session for those interested is happening on Nov. 21 at the Beckley Community United Methodist church at 7 pm.
“Anyone who is interested, it’s really quite an interesting thing to do. To be there and make sure people have a safe place to be whether they’re experiencing some housing insecurity or they don’t have the proper heat at home and it makes it difficult for them,” said Dacal.
Dacal says anyone interested in volunteering can also reach out to her for more information. Dacal can be reached by emailing [email protected].
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