Reverend Matthew Bradley of St. John's Episcopal Church in Murray visits Sounds Good to explain the need for volunteers, either individuals or groups from civic organizations, for the winter's warming center at the church on West Main. Their goal is to remain open through February.
The warming center is a community ministry hosted by St. John's Episcopal Church, but is run by community volunteers coordinated by eight local churches. January 4 through 31 is staffed, but the goal is to remain open through February.
There are two ways to volunteer: either individuals can volunteer for specific shifts or civic organizations can arrange to cover blocks of time - like a week or half-week. Call 270-753-1881 for volunteer information (phone rings at the University Church of Christ), or email mbradleytu@gmail.com.
Overnight volunteers needed are one man and one woman. Rev. Bradley says there is typically two or three guests per night. One of the largest groupings in a single night was 10 (due to an apartment fire).
There are three volunteer shifts:
6 to 10:30 p.m. - The welcome group greets guests, shows them where to sign in, hands out flyers to other organizations in the community that can help. They will show the guest to their cot, blankets and show where dinners are kept.
10:30 to 6 a.m. - Overnight group spends the night at the warming center. Rev. Bradley says this is the hardest position to fill. This shift asks the volunteers to spend the night in cots in the parish hall. To be on-hand if the guests need anything. This position is important as it allows the warming center to be an overnight center.
6 a.m. to 8 a.m. - The breakfast crew helps guests put up cots, shows where breakfast things are, takes folks to the shower facilities. Afterwards, they'll tidy up and take linens to the cleaners.
