Tri-City Warming Center open nights March 4-7

The Strafford County Extreme Cold Weather Warming Center will be open nightly from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. through the morning of Monday, March 8. 

The Emergency Management Directors of Dover, Rochester and Somersworth made the decision to activate the warming center during these nights due to a forecast of life-threatening cold temperatures that will likely diminish the availability of existing shelter space. 

The warming center is located at 30 Willand Drive in Somersworth. Partners and municipalities are asked to help transport at-risk or unsheltered clients to the warming center when possible. During this activation, the warming center will be unable to transport clients to or from the center.

Those seeking to warm up may arrive anytime between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. during the activation period. Referrals or reservations are not required. COVID-19 coronavirus precautions are in place, including hand hygiene, social distancing, and required masking. Cots are available at the warming center.

More information about the Strafford County Extreme Cold Weather Warming Center can be found at a new online resource, https://www.facebook.com/warmingcenterofsc. 

COAST Bus has agreed to transport anyone on their way to the warming center to specific bus stops at no cost. Please note: COAST Bus does not operate on Sundays. Bus schedules and real-time transit information are available at www.coastbus.org, or call (603) 743-5777 and select option 1. 

On Bus Route 1N, the stop is the Holy Trinity Church at 404 High St. in Somersworth. On Route 1S, the stop is High Street at Bernier Street. From there, it's about a half-mile to the warming center. Take Penny Lane to Commercial Drive, which connects to Willand Drive. The warming center is near the Willand Drive and Commercial Street intersection. 

On Bus Route 12N and 12S, the stop is Key Buick GMC of Somersworth (formerly Midway Buick), located at 155 Route 108 in Somersworth. From there, the warming center is 0.7 miles to the warming center. Go north on Route 108 to the intersection of Willand Drive and then follow Willand Drive to the end. 

Volunteers and donations needed at warming center

The warming center seeks volunteers to assist with a variety of tasks, including set-up and take-down, client check-in, laundry, cleaning and client engagement. Volunteer shifts are from 4 to 8 p.m., 8 p.m. to 12 a.m., 12 to 6 a.m. and 6 to 9 a.m.

Volunteers may sign up for more than one shift per night (for example, 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.) or multiple shifts during the activation. Please sign up only for the shifts you can commit to.  Please note, the warming center cannot accept volunteers under 18 years old, even if accompanied by a parent.

Sign-up for volunteer shifts here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4ea5aa2fa4fc1-warming10.

Volunteers are also needed to provide a to-go breakfast for warming center clients. If you cannot volunteer for a shift but are able to provide breakfast (items in a bag that a client can take with them), please use this sign-up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4ea5aa2fa4fc1-warming11.

The warming center is also seeking donations, such as hand warmers, socks and coffee. Use this sign-up to see what donations are needed: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a4ea5aa2fa4fc1-warming12.

About the Strafford County Extreme Cold Weather Warming Center

The warming center is a partnership of the cities of Dover, Somersworth and Rochester to establish an alternative location for a regional warming center to accommodate social distancing and other challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Dover purchased the property and equipment for the warming center in December through a New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority grant made possible by the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

Strafford County is providing grant monies to help cover the cost of staffing the warming center during life-threatening weather conditions.

More information about the Strafford County Extreme Cold Weather Warming Center can be found at a new online resource, https://www.facebook.com/warmingcenterofsc.