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Volunteers and churches run warming station after McAlester storm; organizers seek donations
Summary
At a McAlester City Council meeting, volunteers and organizers described a community-run warming station that sheltered nine people during a recent snow event and requested donations and volunteers for upcoming cold weather.
Stacy Gordon, speaking for Kelly White and Humanity 918, told the McAlester City Council that a community-run warming station operated from Thursday through Sunday during a recent heavy snow event and sheltered nine overnight guests.
The warming station, coordinated with All Saints Episcopal Church, provided food, clothing and a safe place to stay, Gordon said. “There were 9 guests who spent the night and there were several others that came through to eat or to get some warm clothing and just to kind of hang out and be in a safe warm space,” she said.
Why it matters: organizers said the station both met immediate needs and helped connect people with housing resources. Council members and the mayor volunteered at the site, and local churches, county emergency management and community groups supplied cots, transportation and donated clothing.
Gordon listed local partners that helped operate the station: All Saints Episcopal Church, First United Methodist Church, United Methodist Church facilities, Pittsburgh County Emergency Management (which provided cots), McAlester Trap and Release and Brandy House (assistance with pets), and volunteers from Oxford House. She also identified core volunteers with Humanity 918 by name: Michelle and Freddie Harris, Vanessa Ware and Sherry Steiger, and said other local volunteers helped with setup and donations. She said a donor identified as Kumar provided $7,000 worth of clothing that is being distributed to those in need.
Reverend Dr. Steven Hale, pastor of First United Methodist Church, said his congregation provided showers, transportation and toiletries for station guests. “We provided the resource of showers for any of those who were at the warming station, who needed that or desired that,” Hale said, adding that volunteers helped preserve dignity for station guests.
Organizers said the warming station expected to open again on Sunday ahead of a separate forecast of very cold weather. Volunteers requested donations of food, bath towels and washcloths and asked people to contact Humanity 918 (Humanity 918 maintains a Facebook page) to volunteer or donate.
Councilors who spoke during the meeting praised the volunteers. Councilor Dewborne said outreach after last year’s warming station had resulted in many guests finding housing: “Last year there were about 20 people that stayed. … 17 of those 20 people are now housed,” Dewborne said.
The city manager and mayor also publicly thanked street crews and emergency management personnel for their work during the storm.
Looking ahead: organizers said they will continue to coordinate with churches and county emergency management as more cold weather arrives and asked the community for material donations and volunteer support.
