Church opens its doors to serve as warming shelter for "Angels Among Us" homeless outreach
MILWAUKEE -- The volunteer group "Angels Among Us" was looking for shelter space as the bitter cold has again blanketed southeastern Wisconsin -- and we have learned the group has found that space. Volunteers were able to serve the homeless on Sunday night, January 17th -- amid a Wind Chill Advisory for all of southeastern Wisconsin.
FOX6 News on Friday, January 15th told you about "Angels Among Us," and their need for shelter space.
Officials with the First Spiritualist Church of West Allis came forward to help. Thanks to those folks, those looking for warmth will have a place to go through Tuesday night, January 19th.
Donations for "Angels Among Us"
"Angels Among Us" officials on Sunday showed FOX6 News a mountain of donations received since Saturday.
"Food, blankets, clothing, boots, milk. You`re saving a human being's life right now. Out in this cold, they will die if they have to stay out there," Kristy Jackson, president of "Angels Among Us" said.
In advance of the freezing temperatures that took hold in southeastern Wisconsin on Sunday, Jackson was looking for a warm place for folks to come in off the street.
"We got a phone call," Jackson said.
First Spiritualist Church of West Allis
That call came from officials with First Spiritualist Church of West Allis.
"Why would you say no? What is a church for if not to do that," Debbie Malison with First Spiritualist Church of West Allis said.
First Spiritualist Church of West Allis warming shelter for "Angels Among Us"
T.R. Winski and others (as many as 60) were expected to sleep on the floor and in pews at the church on Sunday night.
"Up until May of last year, I had an apartment and good job. I got sick and I had a heart attack and now I`m on the street," Winski said.
If it wasn't for the church and other warming shelters open in the Milwaukee area on Sunday night, Winski said he'd worry about many of his friends.
First Spiritualist Church of West Allis warming shelter for "Angels Among Us"
"(Monday) is going to be particularly tough. It`s the MLK holiday. All the libraries are closed. All the MPS Rec Centers are closed for warming. Homeless people are human. Not rejects. Not someone to look down on. We`re human," Winski said.
"You think you have problems and difficulties in your life -- and then you meet these people and talk with them. And you see what they need. You think, 'my problems are nothing,'" Malison said.
"Angels Among Us" is not affiliated with the city-sponsored shelters.
First Spiritualist Church of West Allis warming shelter for "Angels Among Us"
If you are in need of a warm place to go -- you're asked to call 211 to be connected to available shelters and warming centers.
CLICK HERE for a list of cold-weather resources via FOX6Now.com.