Volunteers Helping Homeless In The Cold During Severe Winter Weather

Volunteers are out providing free rides to shelters Thursday evening for individuals who are homeless and for individuals who do not wish to go, they’re handing out gadgets to maintain them heat.

There is excessive chilly in Green Country and it is laborious work for these volunteers, since they by no means know what they could discover, however, they are saying they’re 100% keen to assist, if it saves only one individual.

“I would come by and examine on you later, okay,” said Nick Gleason, a volunteer.

Whether the weather is perfect or looks like it does on Thursday, volunteers with City Lights are ready to step in and serve.

“Outreach, is anybody home,” mentioned Gleason?

“What’s your title. Tommy, I’m Nick,” said Gleason.

“That’s the point of the season,” mentioned Sarah Grounds, E.D. City Lights Foundation of Oklahoma.

“You’re coming with us proper? Okay,” said Gleason.

Some people are eager to leave their tents behind.

“I’m gonna put this under here, okay? Alright. You good? Okay,” mentioned Gleason.

“Okay good you able to go,” said Gleason?

“Yeah,” an individual responded.

“You wanna hop in my truck within the warmth,” said Gleason.

“I can give you a lot of blankets. Where are you staying at? You wanna go stay someone better? Somewhere warm? I can get you there. I gotta take this group first. I’ll come back and pick you up,” mentioned Gleason.

City Lights gives provides like sleeping baggage and heat garments for individuals who select to not go inside.

“He’s not snug within the shelters which is what we see rather a lot. A number of our buddies out right here they simply have had dangerous experiences at among the shelters. It’s nothing in opposition to the shelters it’s just a few individuals simply can’t, you already know they don’t operate effectively in that,” said Gleason.

People have generously donated hand warmers, hats, chapstick, socks and gloves, sleeping bags and food.

“We are gonna make him a hot chocolate though,” mentioned Gleason.

Volunteers and workers break up up into groups to seek out and discuss to as many individuals as potential on the streets.

“There’s some pop up shelters which might be taking individuals. It’s heat. They’ve acquired some assets for you and we will provide you with a journey again so that you received’t be caught,” said Gleason.

And even if many people refuse to go, the volunteers keep on trying.

“The goal is to get you guys in somewhere warm cause it’s just gonna get colder tonight,” mentioned Gleason.

“I feel I talked to you final evening. I do know I advised you it was gonna get chilly. Let’s get this executed,” said Gleason.

“They really are our friends and we want everybody that walks away from us to feel hope and to feel dignity and to feel seen, known and loved and that is huge for us. And when they walk away that, we know we’ve done our job well,” mentioned Grounds

If you come throughout somebody who wants shelter, you possibly can go to the housing options web site and fill out an outreach kind which fits to 3 completely different companies out doing work so whoever is closest can go transport that individual.