Words and Photo by Erin Shockey

JASPER, Ala. - When the sun sets on Walker County and temperatures drop below freezing, many people retreat to their homes to stay warm. Sadly, others can’t. On these cold evenings, there’s one resilient team of volunteers that braves the weather to meet a community need. For the third consecutive year, the Jasper Area Family Services Center (JAFSC) has partnered with the city of Jasper to open a warming station. 

Located at the JAFSC facility (formerly West Jasper Elementary School), the warming station is available to anyone who needs a warm place to stay and will be open on nights when temperatures dip below freezing. “The warming station provides cots and snacks for each individual. Our facility has a microwave, refrigerator and a handicapped bathroom,” says JAFSC Executive Director Donna Kilgore. 

“We are set up for anyone who would like to come and we welcome them,” adds Wanda Spears, Warming Station Coordinator. “We will do anything we can for them.”

Operating an efficient warming station takes a great deal of planning, and in the beginning stages of development, the JASFC team looked to neighboring cities that were running successful programs. “I have always been a big proponent of not reinventing the wheel, so I knew we needed to start looking to folks that are operating a successful warming station,” says Jasper Mayor David O’Mary.

Ultimately the JASFC looked to a similar operation in the city of Birmingham, organized by Don Lupo, Director of Citizens Assistance at the Birmingham Mayor’s Office. “We received a lot of guidance from him on how to get started,” said Spears. 

What those intimate with the effort have found is that it takes a team to make it all function. Community volunteers have been instrumental to the success of the warming station from year to year. Some have served for three consecutive years, and Kilgore believes the facility could not function without the collective help of these individuals. 

Kilgore also cites the partnership between the city of Jasper and JAFSC as an essential component of the program. JAFSC provides the facility and expertise while the city provides both financial support and a police officer or firefighter during operating hours. 

Overall, Kilgore praises the work of everyone who has contributed to the warming station’s success. “We have received a lot of donations from churches, concerned citizens, and businesses, and we have appreciated the city’s support in this,” Kilgore said. 

If you would like to make a donation or volunteer, please contact Jasper Area Family Services Center at (205) 302-0801. Volunteers are currently needed in the 12 am. to 7 a.m. shift. 

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