SYLACAUGA, Ala. – With temperatures expected to dip into the teens and barely rise above the freezing mark over the next few days, a Sylacauga church has opened its doors as a warming station.
Mignon Baptist Church, located at 900 Avondale Ave., has opened a warming center. After volunteers got things set up for the possibility of a crowd, they opened on Sunday, Jan. 19 at 4:00 p.m.
If you know of someone who needs a place to stay, please send them Mignon’s way. Church members are serving as volunteers to stay during the evening and/or overnight hours. This may be for multiple days this week, as the temperature is expected to stay at or well below freezing through the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 22.
Here are some basic guidelines for Mignon Baptist’s warming center:
-Located in the fellowship hall, accessed by the back parking lot of 900 Avondale Ave. As long as the warming station is needed, the doors will be locked at 9:00 p.m. with no admissions after that time. Lights will be turned out at 10:00 p.m.
-Once you have checked in for the night, no coming and going will be permitted. If you leave, you are unable to return that night.
-No weapons, drugs, or alcohol allowed on the premises. Two smoke breaks will be given during the evening hours before bedtime, but there will be no smoking inside the facility.
-No violence, such as physical actions, sexual advances, threatening behavior, verbal harassment, or foul language.
-Personal property is required to fit underneath your cot or on the chair beside it. You may bring your own toiletry items. Bathrooms are available, but shower facilities are not.
Unfortunately, they are unable to accept any animals in the warming center at this time. Documentation must be provided for any service animal.