We were happy to host our neighbors the night before last, thank you CWISH McMinnville for helping us to help others! Here’s a note from CWISH Organizer, Howie Harkema:
“CWISH McMinnville Acknowledgements – A BIG SHOUT OUT to:
First Presbyterian Church – Dave, Dale, Jane and Pastor Matt and all their volunteers, including St. James, three nights (November 24, 25, 26).
First Baptist Church – Danny and Pastor Erika and all their volunteers including community rovers, three nights (November 27, 28, 29).
Cooperative Ministries – Zachariah and Pastor Kathy and all their volunteers, one night (November 30).
For an outstanding job of sheltering 149 persons over a 7 day cold weather event and keeping people and their pets safe from the intense cold. Providing: safety, shelter, food, compassion, love and hope, for our very first CWISH McMinnville 2015 / 2016 winter season event. It is never an easy task to get all the necessary volunteers and organize so quickly in preparation to open your doors to our neighbors without shelter. All three churches really made it happen, in tandem with the three CWISH McMinnville Organizers: Lynda Weigel, Nidia Wheeler and Howie Harkema; YCOM dispatch, YCGRM (gift of extra blankets), 211info, YCCO (gift of umbrellas and electronic postings) and Sheridan High School (gift of food leftovers from a Thanksgiving celebration) and the 69 facebook shares from community to get the message out. It really does take a village…
We are so blessed and appreciative to work alongside of this loving, open hearted community to do this important sheltering program together. Only together, can make a real difference for those in need in our community.
Blessings !
Howie Harkema
CWISH McMinnville Organizer”