Cold Weather Shelter opens in DeFuniak

[Alicia Leonard]

DeFuniak Herald Beach Breeze A cold weather shelter will be available at the Defuniak Springs Community Center Wednesday Dec. 8 and Thursday Dec. 9, from 5 p.m.-8 a.m. Cots, blankets, and food will be provided. The shelter is sponsored by a community coalition of local churches and organizations in cooperation with the Red Cross. If no one arrives... to the shelter by 10 p.m., it will close for the night.

 

[Matt J]

Is wrobert picketing out front?

 

[seagrovegirl]

Probably not until it opens tomorrow? Last night was very cold, and tonight too. Hopefully the homeless found a place to stay.

 

[Andy A]

Is wrobert picketing out front?

I suggest you note who is sponsoring the shelter. According to what was posted, it is not the local, state or federal government, it is a combination of the local churches. In fairness, which you seem to know nothing about, it is exactly what wrobert was proposing. No tax monies from any source involved.

 

[Matt J]

I suggest you note who is sponsoring the shelter. According to what was posted, it is not the local, state or federal government, it is a combination of the local churches. In fairness, which you seem to know nothing about, it is exactly what wrobert was proposing. No tax monies from any source involved.

I suggest you read it again. The DeFuniak Springs Community center is not a religious organization.

 

[Alicia Leonard]

The shelter is sponsored by a community coalition of local churches and organizations in cooperation with the Red Cross.

 

[scooterbug44]

Politics aside, I for one am very glad a place is being provided so folks can stay warm - and I hope everyone who needs it uses it.

 

[North Lake]

Was at a meeting of the Community Coalition this morning and learned that 4 people used the shelter last night; and it was manned by Freeport Fire Dept Community Emergency Response Team members (all volunteers) and Red Cross volunteers. The city is providing the building as a public service. They expect more to use it tonight. Churches have expressed interest in participating.
The Red Cross will be providing training on December 16 for shelter volunteers. More to follow in the media on this.

 

[Alicia Leonard]

Was at a meeting of the Community Coalition this morning and learned that 4 people used the shelter last night; and it was manned by Freeport Fire Dept Community Emergency Response Team members (all volunteers) and Red Cross volunteers. The city is providing the building as a public service. They expect more to use it tonight. Churches have expressed interest in participating.
The Red Cross will be providing training on December 16 for shelter volunteers. More to follow in the media on this.

I'm not sure who Ashley spoke with today to get the info I posted, but I would guess it was the city. The information she got should be linked to a name in the article. I didn't proof the article (our editor did) and she posted the excerpt above on FB, which I re-posted here. I'll be looking out for the official release from the county. Thanks.

 

[North Lake]

I'm not sure who Ashley spoke with today to get the info I posted, but I would guess it was the city. The information she got should be linked to a name in the article. I didn't proof the article (our editor did) and she posted the excerpt above on FB, which I re-posted here. I'll be looking out for the official release from the county. Thanks.

The release went out this afternoon Alicia. You should have it in your in-box tomorow morning. It was sent out on behalf of the Community Coalition. The county is not really involved in this apart from my time in attending the meetings. There are many folks involved -- from the various non-profits, the City in providing the place, the DFSPD in helping folks get there when needed, and the volunteers who man the shelter. It's a small thing that really isn't resource-intensive (i.e., costs a lot), but it means a lot to folks who would otherwise sleep in front of WalMart or under the I-10 overpass on 331 on cold nights. They're not many in number, but they are there.