© 2024 KLCC

KLCC
136 W 8th Ave
Eugene OR 97401
541-463-6000
klcc@klcc.org

Contact Us

FCC Applications
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Frigid temperatures spur activation of warming Centers in Eugene and Cottage Grove

A volunteer invites someone into Wheeler Pavilion at the Lane Events Center, one of several sites that are part of the Egan Warming Centers.
Kelly Lyon
/
Photo provided by Joel Gorthy, St. Vincent de Paul.
A volunteer invites someone into Wheeler Pavilion at the Lane Events Center, one of several sites that are part of the Egan Warming Centers.

Freezing temperatures in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday means the Egan Warming Centers are being activated, and put on standby for the rest of the week.

Tim Black is the winter strategies and emergency response coordinator for St. Vincent de Paul, which oversees the Egan Warming Centers. He says there are also volunteer orientation sessions Tuesday and Saturday.

A volunteer hands someone warm soup inside a warming center.
Kelly Lyon
/
Photo provided by Joel Gorthy of St. Vincent de Paul.
A volunteer hands someone warm soup inside a warming center.

Black encourages anyone to volunteer, to support operations and the safety of the unhoused community across Eugene-Springfield.

“It just takes the willingness to get a bit outside your comfort zone that first time,” Black told KLCC. “You’ll get a free lesson in non-judgment, I can tell you that.

Information on Egan Warming Center sites for Dec. 13, 2022.
Information on Egan Warming Center sites for Dec. 13, 2022.

“So I’d really encourage folks are thinking about it, to sign up for orientation, easy to do, no commitment, and then we’ll see if we can get you there for the first shift.”

The Egan Warming Centers are activated when temps fall below 30 degrees, and they have enough volunteers.

Beds for Freezing Nights in Cottage Grove will also be activated tonight, then on standby on Wednesday and Thursday.

©2022, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
Related Content