Warming center to open in Olympia due to weather advisory in Thurston County
Temperatures are expected to plummet this weekend and remain below freezing for days, so Thurston County officials are gearing up for winter weather conditions.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services issued a “Hazardous Weather” advisory, according to a county press release. This comes after the National Weather Service issued a forecast for snow and below freezing temperatures for the Puget Sound region starting Dec. 25 and lasting at least through Dec. 29. The county’s advisory is on the same timeline.
The county is opening a daytime warming center at 201 Capitol Way N. in Olympia. The center will be open on Saturday, Dec. 25, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Dec. 26 through Dec. 28 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Shelter options will be available at the Union Gospel Mission at 413 Franklin St. NE, Olympia, for single men and women. Families with children who are needing shelter can visit Family Support Center’s Pear Blossom Place at 837 Seventh Ave. SE. Those 18-24 seeking shelter can visit Community Youth Services at 520 Pear St. SE.
The county also needs volunteers and donations for the centers and their guests. Centers are asking for socks, long johns, underwear, tarps, ponchos, hand warmers, sleeping bags, tents, gloves and mittens, hats, warm clothing, blankets, pillows, coffee, creamer, soup and other snacks.
Donations will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at 110 11th Ave. SE in Olympia, as well as from 3-5 p.m. Christmas Day and from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 26-28 at 201 Capitol Way N.
Those seeking volunteer opportunities can sign up on Interfaith Works’ shelter website here.
The Hazardous Weather Task Force also will distribute shelter-in-place supplies such as blankets and water to those who are homeless and are unable to leave their location.
This story was originally published December 22, 2021 at 12:35 PM.
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