Chelan warming station to open during dangerous cold snaps

CHELAN — Chelan Valley Hope is looking for volunteers to help staff a new cold-weather warming station this winter, which will provide safe shelter for those exposed to extreme temperatures. 

The warming station, located at Chelan Valley Hope at 417 S. Bradley Street, will be open from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during cold spells when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.

“It really isn't a shelter, it is a cold weather warming station that will provide safety during especially cold weather,”  said Tamra Hively, executive director of Chelan Valley Hope.

 “It will only be open during cold snaps that are dangerous for those living outdoors,” she said. “We will activate our community response team to get the word out when we are open. We will not be open every day, it will be based on the weather.”

The warming station will serve Chelan Valley residents who lack other shelter options. Though the station has a capacity for up to twelve individuals, Hively expects fewer people will need the space but wants to be prepared.

If hotel rooms are available, they may be a temporary solution, but that is not always an option so the warming station is needed. 

“The reason it (the warming station) is important is because it will save lives,” Hively said. “I personally saw people in sleeping bags last year when it was 10 degrees out. I don't want that to happen again.”  

“I can't tolerate not doing something when there is a life or death situation,” she said. “Chelan Valley Hope is known for stepping up when times are tough, and we are here for our community.” 

The organization is still finalizing the policies and procedures, but it will need as many volunteers as possible, as it will be a call-in situation, and not everyone will be available.

A staff member will be present at each shift and one or two volunteers will be needed as well. Volunteers do not necessarily have to do the entire 12-hour shift.

“Each volunteer will have hands-on training and will need to have a background check, de-escalation training, and first aid/cpr,” she said. “They can work with someone who has the training as long as they are signed up for the next training. There is no cost.” 

The first de-escalation training is scheduled for November 21 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Lake Chelan Lutheran Church. More training sessions will be available in the future; however, the dates and times have not been decided at press time.

For more information or to volunteer, Chelan Valley Hope can be reached at 509-888-2114.

The warming station is a collaborative effort made possible by community leaders and local organizations, including Erin McCardle, Mayor City of Chelan; Paul Palumbo, Pastor Lake Chelan Lutheran Church; Ana Gonzalez, Behavioral Health Unit Chelan County Sheriff’s Office; Ray Eickmeyer, Emergency Services Director Lake Chelan Community Health; Tiffany Gering, Chelan County Commissioner; Amber Hallberg, Community Services Manager Chelan County; Brie Estes, Case Manager/Outreach Specialist Chelan Valley Hope; Venus Hinojos, Office Manager/Outreach Specialist Chelan Valley Hope; Tamra Hively, Executive Director Chelan Valley Hope.

Quinn Propst: 509-731-3590 or quinn@ward.media.