ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. – A homeless shelter in Macomb County is in dire need of volunteers to help keep some of the community’s most vulnerable safe during the coldest months of the year.
The Macomb County Warming and Rescue Mission, or McWarm for short, provides those in need with hot food, a chance to take a shower, and a way to stay out of the harsh elements from the first of November through the end of March.
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Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays McWarm opens its doors in the gym of Saint Margaret of Scotland Church at 7 a.m. to help an average 60 people each day.
Members of the community say the director, Carolyn Johnson, is the backbone of the program. She has been with the program for a while now and says it takes a lot of donations and about 40 volunteers daily to make McWarm a success.
“It’s very valuable,” says Johnson “Very, to keep them out of the cold. And just to listen to them, you know, it’s heartbreaking, some of their stories”.
One of those people the program helps is James Ruffin. Unfortunately, he is unhoused but was given advice to reach out to the program.
“I’m normally on the streets, sleeping outside. So, like I say, this is very helpful to me”, Ruffin explains.
To help people like Ruffin though, the program needs help from the community. Johnson says she’s willing to work 20 hours a day to help but she needs the funding to do so. The money donated allows McWarm to supply winter gear, two meals a day, and a bus ticket.
While the program is only around five months out of the year, the support volunteers give can give those in need tools that can stick with them. Ruffin is currently looking for a job and says McWarm is doing more than just supplying a place to grab a quick meal.
“It’s motivation and self-esteem for me,” says Ruffin, “this helped build character and, you know, makes me feel good about myself. You know, and I want to continue on this path. You know, and do well, because I’m TIRED going back and forth.”
If you would like to donate to McWarm, you can find them on Venmo by searching @McWarm.
They are currently in need of the following clothing items:
- crew socks
- men’s sweatpants size L-XL-2X
- gently used backpacks
- men’s winter coats size L-XL-2XL-3X
- men’s hoodies size L-XL-2XL-3X
- men’s jeans 30-36
- men’s boxer underwear L-XL-2XL-3X
- socks, t-shirts L-XL-2XL-3X
- men’s boots, size 10-11-12-13
They also are accepting gift cards.
Donations can be mailed or dropped of at McWarm, 21201 E Thirteen Mile Road, St Clair Shores, MI, 48082.
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