Helping Others in Fredericksburg During the Severe Cold

Fredericksburg Patch readers have asked how to help those less fortunate during our extreme cold weather.  I've contacted several organizations and they have provided the following needs and suggestions. 

If you know of others, post them in the comments section and contact me at Susan.Larson@Patch.com.  Thank you. -susan

The Thurman Brisben Center is a residential facility in Fredericksburg working with at-risk and homeless men, women and children of Planning District 16 with appropriate and essential shelter and services to affect positive life changes.

"We are an 80-bed facility and are always near or at full capacity," said Interim Executive Director Kim Lally.  She provided a "Wish List" (below) of items always needed and included a special volunteer request.

"We need some volunteers to help put the plastic window covering on the widows in our family units.  With temps this low, we just can’t seem to keep the rooms warm enough for the children."  If you're able to help, please call Kim at 540-899-9853 ext. 118 or email her at Klally@brisbencenter.org. 

Bus Passes for Clients

Pantry Items
Coffee
Sugar/Creamer
Coffee filters
Breakfast Cereals
Iced Tea
Lemonade
Juice Boxes
Salad dressing
Spices
Vegetable Oil
Pasta Sauce
Tuna
Vegetables
Soups
Chips/Crackers

Toiletries
Shampoo
 Conditioner
 Shaving Cream
 Toothpaste
 Bath Soap
 Disposable Razors
Deodorant
Hand Sanitizer

Paper Products
Paper Towels
Toilet Tissue
39 Gallon Trash Bags
13 Gallon Trash Bags
Zip Lock Sandwich Bags
Brown Lunch Bags

Cleaning & Laundry Supplies
Pine Sol
Bathroom Cleaner
Dawn Dishwashing Soap
Heavy Duty Mops
Heavy Duty Buckets
Indoor/Outdoor Brooms
Powdered Laundry Soap
Bleach

"DMVjeepers is putting together a collection/delivery of much needed supplies for the many homeless here in the Fredericksburg area," wrote Jason Atkinson on Facebook. They will be collecting in the parking lot of Walmart in Central Park from 5 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 7, then proceeding to deliver the supplies directly to those in need.

"Items needed include warm clothing of all sorts, propane tanks/cans (preferably filled), tarps and blankets," Atkinson said. "Donations that can be converted into these items will also be accepted. Any help is greatly appreciated."

Micah Ecumenical Ministries is a nonprofit social services agency in Fredericksburg serving those in the community in need of shelter and related care.  Nine downtown churches govern the organization. 

"Our lobby at 1013 Princess Anne St. is open all day today for those needing shelter from the cold," said Executive Servant-Leader Meghann Cotter.  If people want to help, they can come by today with long-johns, warm clothing, hats, gloves, hand warmers and such."

In addition, donations of toiletries, food and other needed items can be delivered any day between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 1013 Princess Anne St. See the complete "Wish List."  Monetary donations may also be made online or sent to P.O. Box 3277, Fredericksburg, Va. 22402.

For more on the cold snap, see:

• Arctic Blast: Fredericksburg Weather Timeline for Reaching '11 Below Zero'
• What's Open, Closed Around Fredericksburg Tuesday
• Take Precautions in Extreme Cold Weather
• Extreme Cold and Horses: What Should You Do?