I’m hearing predictions of a cold, snowy winter like we had two years ago. Keeping our homeless population safe will be even more critical this year.

Last year Hands Together opened and operated a cold-weather shelter in Arlington. Although most nights only one or two people stayed at the shelter, in all we served 13 different people, men and women, ranging in age from a small child to a 79-year-old. The shelter will be open again this year, and we hope we have sufficiently earned the trust of the homeless population that they will come in and be warm this year.

Hands Together is nothing more than a group of concerned citizens. We sponsor the Brown Bag Brigade, which hands out healthy sack lunches every Friday at the Arlington Food Bank. We also coordinate food pick-ups from Haggen to the food bank.

Our primary fundraiser is a concert entitled Voices Together. This year it will be held on Sunday, October 10 at 2 pm at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 adults, $5 for children 12 and under. Proceeds will be split between Hands Together and the Arlington Food Bank. The concert features area choirs and performers.

We will need many volunteers in order to keep the shelter going. If you are interested in becoming a part of this effort, our next meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Arlington United Church, 4th and MacLeod. For information call 360-435-3259.

Thank you,

Deena Jones

Arlington