Warming shelters are available during frigid weather

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – If you need somewhere warm to go, the VFW Post 4692 will be open as a warming center starting Sunday night.

Felicia Benford, with the Community Coalition of Brazos County, says that community leaders are coming together for the first time to open up a warming center when the area reaches frigid conditions.

“We just decided that it was a need to open one up and we weren’t gonna wait and possibly have something bad happen and we know we could have something. So we just got around the table, put our heads together and decided this was a task we were going to on-take,” said Benford.

When organizers realized the need was great, they knew they had to step in.

“We see the temperatures are going to be low and we’re concerned about our community members that our unsheltered, or their homes are not sufficiently insulated, or they just need somewhere to go. So a group of community leaders, various non-profits, and organizations came to the table to decide how could we help the community,” said Benford.

The VFW Post will open starting Sunday, January 14th at 8 p.m. through Wednesday, January 17th at 12 p.m.

Warming Center by KBTX on Scribd

Warming Center by KBTX on Scribd

Organizers say the center will have bathrooms, food, and a projector to watch TV. There will also be a separate sleeping room and blankets if you need to stay the night.

Additionally, organizers say they are willing and able to give rides to the center if anyone needs it. You just need to call the VFW Post’s number at (979)- 823-0550.

The post commander, John Velasquez, hopes the VFW Post is a safe place for those who don’t have access to appropriate resources.

“I was raised in a large family, we were poor when we were younger and I always saw the necessity to need help, want help, but not always receive help. But now we are here in a position to help the people and those who need it or even want it, we’re here available for them,” said Velasquez.

The organizers say they are looking for volunteers to help.

“We are seeking volunteers. We are seeking people to come out and to just be on sight to help us. If we have children, if we have adults, we are just looking for people to come together from the community and help us support the community. We are just doing this because it is the right thing to do, it’s the right thing to do, to service the community, and to help someone out that’s in need. That’s what our obligation is, our duty is,” said Benford.

Organizers say they will even have cooling centers when temperatures get hot in the summer.

The VFW Post 4692 will not be the only warming shelter in place later this weekend.

If the power goes out in Robertson County, there are a total of 6 warming centers you can go to. They are listed below.

Franklin Fire Department Station 2Pridgeon Center on Cooks LaneCalvert Volunteer Fire DepartmentBremond City HallBremond Volunteer Fire DepartmentHearne Police Department Public Safety Building

There are also several warming centers opening in Leon County.

Centerville Senior CenterLeona Community CenterNormangee Community CenterBuffalo Senior enter