From Renee Stewart - Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless:

12/17/09

Dear Social Work Professionals,

I have a mission to fulfill and I need your help!  The Northern Panhandle
Continuum of Care is in the process of organizing a Winter Freeze shelter so
that when the weather gets harsh, no one will have to risk their lives by
sleeping outside.  Each day this winter, a staff member of the Greater
Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless will evaluate that night's forecast and
determine if the weather conditions pose a threat to survival.  In order to
help these people without anywhere else to go, we must rely entirely on the
kindness of volunteers to staff the shelter. Youth Services System has
kindly offered the use of the 4th floor of the Hazel-Atlas building, 87
Fifteenth St to house those in need for the night.

If the shelter is open 7 days a week from Mid-December through March this
will require 2,332 volunteer hours of service [106 nights x 2 volunteers x
11 hours a night (from 9:30pm to 8:30am)].  Clearly we need your help!  I
understand it is a busy time of year but please consider taking a break from
the holiday hoopla to rediscover and live out the true spirit of giving.
The shelter simply cannot open if there is not two volunteers to staff it
for the night.  So invite your co-workers and friends to join you in making
a difference in the life of someone truly in need.

Email me as soon as possible to secure your preferred date, and of course if
you have any questions I'm only a phone call away.  For more information or
to sign up for a training session, please call Renee Stewart at the Greater
Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless 304-232-6105 or email at
[log in to unmask] 

Happy Holidays to all and a very sincere thank you,
Renee R. Stewart
Americorps VISTA
Greater Wheeling Coalition for the Homeless
304-232-6105
"The volunteer world is a laboratory for self-realization."~Mae West