As the temperatures outside get colder, the homeless community seeks a safe and warm place to spend the night, and a local organization aims to meet the need in Waynesboro, Staunton and Augusta County.
Waynesboro Area Refuge Ministry said since its cold-weather shelter opened this fall, the number of people showing up to the overnight shelter has been increasing, and the organization expects the need to continue to rise as temperatures continue to fall.
For the second year in a row, a local homeless advocate will spend 24 hours outside to raise awareness for the difficulties faced by the unhoused community.
WARM board chair Brian Edwards will camp out at the Waynesboro YMCA from 10 a.m. on Dec. 20 to 10 a.m. on Dec. 21.
The date marks the start of winter which officially begins at 4:21 a.m. on Dec. 21.
Temperatures on Friday night will plunge to 30 degrees. Just two days later, the unhoused community will face even colder temperatures with the forecast showing low temperatures in the teens.
Edwards will use minimum supplies for food and warmth during the 24-hour fund-raising event, “Homeless Alone: A Stay WARM Challenge.” He will also only use what is approved under city code for heat.
“Homelessness is a year-round problem, but in wintertime, you have the real threat of hypothermia,” said Edwards.
The Y and its board granted Edwards permission to camp out in front of the South Wayne Avenue facility for the event. While the YMCA is open, Edwards will have access to its bathrooms.
Local realtor joining Edwards overnight this year
This year, Edwards will be joined by local realtor and former Y executive director Jeff Fife.
Fife, putting on his fundraising hat, said he envisions a day when hundreds of community members will camp out at the Y or perhaps Fishburne with each participant raising money for the cause, much like a community or overnight walk.
“The experience is a small way to highlight the challenges face by our neighbors and to emphasize the critical role of non-profit organization like WARM play in providing hope and support,” said Fife.
“Together we hope to inspire our community to be more aware, take action and make a difference for those less fortunate.”
About WARM
WARM currently provides a winter overnight shelter to homeless adults at sites in Waynesboro and Augusta County and temporary housing and supportive services to homeless women and children in Waynesboro.
“There are several of our homeless neighbors in our community who do not know what WARM can provide for them,” Edwards said. “Last year, I encountered three homeless neighbors whom I engaged in conversation about WARM. None of them was aware of WARM’s cold weather shelter.”
To donate to WARM
Edwards and Fife hope that the community may feel inspired to give to WARM during the awareness event.
- Bring donations to the location of the challenge at 648 S Wayne Ave. before 8 p.m. on Dec. 20 or after 5 a.m. on Dec. 21; no money will be accepted or kept there overnight.
- Donations may also be mailed to WARM at 1035 Fairfax Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980
- Donations may also be made online at https://www.warmwaynesboro.org
Funds raised during this event will be used to support the WARM cold weather shelter and Ruth’s House for Women and Children which provides transitional housing and support for women and children facing homelessness.
Related coverage
For more coverage, search “homelessness” on Augusta Free Press.
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Crystal Graham
