Congregants at Wesley United Methodist Church, 14 N. May St. in Aurora are collecting donations for the Aurora warming center.
Wesley lead pastor Rev. Tammy Scott, said, “There are many ways we can support the work of the warming center being hosted by Becoming Oswego Church at Aurora Financial Empowerment building, 712 S. River St. in Aurora.” They include financial donations to givebutter.com/aurorawarmingshelter and hand warmers, gloves, single-serve snacks, socks, men’s T-shirts and single packets of hot cocoa mix.
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Last winter, Wesley hosted the first City of Aurora winter emergency warming shelter, serving 174 guests from January to March.
Under a contract with the city, Wesley’s temporary overnight center was activated from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. when temperatures were at or below 15°F, or when weather conditions were severe due to a combination of wind chill and precipitation.
According to Pastor Scott, more than 50 volunteers and staff served a daily average of 27 guests. Attendance ranged from eight to 46 guests. Each evening, staff provided guests with a cot, snacks, and water.
Volunteers and staff put in more than 1,050 hours, including serving more than 950 meals.
—Al Benson