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Story County allows employees paid time to volunteer at temporary 'Warming Place' shelter
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Summary
Supervisors approved a request allowing county employees to volunteer at The Warming Place overnight shelter with that time counted as work time (with department head approval) to address volunteer shortages during extreme cold.
Story County supervisors on Jan. 27 approved a request permitting interested county employees to volunteer at The Warming Place — a temporary overnight shelter hosted at First United Methodist Church — and have that time count as work time with prior department-head approval.
Sandra King and Alyssa Wignall described the shelter as a community collaboration involving Story County, the City of Ames, Mary Greeley Medical Center, the Bridge Home, Salvation Army, Romero House, YSS and First United Methodist Church. King and Wignall said the shelter has averaged about 12 individuals per night during the recent cold snap and is largely volunteer-run; they asked the board to allow employee volunteer hours to be recorded as work time similar to United Way’s day-of-service arrangements.
Board members praised the shelter’s impact and supported the motion, noting the program has kept people out of hotels and off the streets during dangerous temperatures. One supervisor said the program gives volunteers a chance to move beyond stereotypes about people who are unhoused. The motion passed by voice vote and staff said they would notify employees immediately about the volunteer option and scheduling process.
Next steps: County HR and department heads will handle approvals for employees wishing to volunteer during work hours and coordinate scheduling with shelter organizers.
