PORT TOWNSEND — Guests at the Jefferson County Winter Shelter have benefited from several improvements this season, and today, Saturday, the public will get a look at these renovations.
Visitors can take a look at the $100,000 in improvements between noon and 3 p.m. at the shelter in the basement of the American Legion hall at 209 Monroe St.
“We have made a lot of progress,” said Carl Hanson, co-chairman of the Community Outreach Association Shelter Team, or COAST, a network of churches that co-founded the shelter with Olympic Community Action Programs in 2005.
“We are inviting people to an open house in the hope that we can get more community groups involved,” Hanson added.
The shelter’s last day this season is March 16, after being open since just after Thanksgiving.
If more groups are involved and the volunteer pool increases, the shelter could expand its calendar and services, Hanson said.
The shelter has been open for six seasons, five in its current location.
This year, what started as a simple electrical system improvement to accommodate new kitchen appliances donated by the Port Townsend Noon Rotary Club evolved into a full-blown $100,000 remodeling project by Port Townsend’s Little & Little Construction, funded through OlyCAP.
The Rotary Club took in $12,000 in donations during its annual fundraiser, with donations earmarked for homeless shelter kitchen appliances, part of a wish list by those who helped found the shelter.
The money went to buy nonskid commercial floor mats, a $2,500 warming oven, a $3,000 commercial dishwasher and a large three-compartment sink with a heavy-duty faucet, with the remainder used for other shelter needs, said Rotary Club President Jim Maupin.
Other donations included $2,500 in materials from Henery Do it Best Hardware.
Permits for the job were approved over the summer, and construction began in September and continued through this month, though most of the recent work was finishing touches, Hanson said.
Since the shelter opened, work has been done during the daytime by subcontracted electric and painting laborers.
Several renovations have taken place, most significantly two showers and a modern restroom.
Previously, shelter guests had to use facilities in the Legion Hall, which is upstairs from the shelter and in proximity to where alcohol is served.
Post Cmdr. Joe Carey has said this has caused inconvenience and discomfort on the part of guests.
The single downstairs restroom is labeled “Men,” but it is periodically closed so women can use the facility.
During those times, a sign is posted, and someone guards for privacy, Hanson said.
Other improvements include a refurbished kitchen, a partition for the sleeping area and a TV room with several couches.
The TV room is used for rest and relaxation as well as overflow if the sleeping area gets too crowded.
It includes a donated wide-screen TV and cable box. There are few arguments about program choice, Hanson said.
Meals are provided at the shelter, where check-in is between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. each day.
The shelter is open overnight until 8 a.m. daily.
It usually is closed during the day, though exceptions were made during the severe January snowstorm and the Super Bowl, Hanson said.
If there are serious weather conditions outside of the Thanksgiving-March time frame, the city can choose to open the shelter on an emergency basis, Hanson said.
“We’ve had amazing support for the community,” Hanson said.
“The response has been great, and about 450 people have volunteered here this year.”
Aside from the general citizenry, many local businesses and restaurants have contributed.
During January’s snowstorm, The Belmont hotel had a canceled event and donated two large trays of beef stroganoff to the shelter, Hanson said.
Restaurants that routinely donate food are Subway and the Pizza Factory, he added.
Donations to COAST for the shelter can be sent to P.O. Box 194, Port Hadlock, WA 98339.
For more information, phone Hanson at 360-531-0613 or email karenreil5@gmail.com.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
