Small Town News

Community rallies for cold weather shelter

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On a recent wet, windy October night, the Shelton area showed appreciation and support for the Emergency Cold Weather Shelter housed at St. David's Episcopal Church.

Many area residents purchased tickets for a prime rib dinner, which included soup, salad, dessert and wine, the opportunity to dance to the music of Shelton's own Swing Fever and the chance to bid on an amazing variety of auction items.

Shelton Police Chief Terry Davenport acted as master of ceremonies and did an excellent job of keeping things moving throughout the night.

While a total net income from the event is not yet available, it appears the shelter will benefit by approximately $6,000. This amount will provide operating funds for one full month.

While the shelter does receive two grants, they provide only one-third to one-half of the season's total operating funds. Private donations account for the rest which makes this fund-raising event a sizable addition to the coffers.

Many local businesses and individuals contributed items to make the evening a success. Shelter staff wants to thank Alderbrook Golf Course and Justin Gravatt, golf pro; GDP Studios; Xinh's Clam and Oyster House; Jeff Sells; Shelton Athletic Club; Verle's; Shepherd's Soaps; Pat Peters; Tom Wynne of Wynne Farms; Rick Wiley; Lynch Creek Floral; Hiawatha; Bud West; Walter Dacon Winery; Vern's Restaurant; Shelton Chiropractic; Daniel Bernstein; Gillis Auto Center; Darrell Pru-ett Sr.; Riverside Espresso; Second Street Design; Green Diamond Resource Company; Marcie McKaig; and Advanced Chiropractic/Olympic Tan. A special thank you goes to the Manresa Castle Hotel in Port Townsend. All of these businesses and individuals donated auction items.

In addition, thanks go to Olympic Bakery, Darrell Pruitt Jr., members of the Swing Fever orchestra, Shelton High School Key Club members, St. Edward's Catholic Church youth group and all the unseen volunteers who worked behind the scenes putting this event together.

The Emergency Cold Weather Shelter provides a warm, safe environment for homeless adults in Mason County on nights of severe weather conditions. While some of the luckier homeless have tents or even cars to sleep in, many have no way to avoid the wind and rain so common in Western Washington this time of year. The Shelter is literally a life saver.

It is necessary to thank one other group of people - those who have donated so generously to the shelter in the past. Anyone wishing to make a contribution to help continue shelter operations may do so at St. David's office located in the parish hall at 218 North Thrid or by mail to St. David's, PO Box 339, Shelton, WA 98584. Checks should be made to St. David's with the notation "shelter." For more information, contact Ann Baker, shelter administrator, at 432-1678.



Copyright 2010 Shelton-Mason County Journal, Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.

© 2010 Shelton-Mason County Journal Shelton, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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