Red Cross shelter remains open

Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Lynn A. Wade/Daily Mail-- The City/County Community Center in Nevada served as a warming center for those without power as a result of the recent ice storm. The center will be open today as well.

Dedicated volunteers from the Vernon County Chapter of the American Red Cross made hot coffee and a warm place to stay available to those seeking shelter from the ice storm that caused long-term power outages in areas of Vernon County.

"I hate to think of people staying in their cold homes, with no power," a volunteer said.

Even so, as of noon on Tuesday, few had taken advantage of the shelter, set up at the City/County Community Center in Nevada.

Volunteers guessed that power outages could mean local people weren't aware of the shelter at the time, since they might not have access to television or radio broadcasts.

Some had refused shelter, saying they'd just tough it out. Others resorted to spending hours on end at Wal-Mart, to get in from the cold.

Peggy Tedlock, chapter director, said breakfast, snacks and dinner were served Tuesday.

"Several people came in yesterday during the day," Tedlock said this morning, but luckily, "a lot of people got their power back on by about 8 or 9 last night. We didn't stay open overnight."

Nevertheless, the community center will continue to serve as a warming center for those still without electricity.

"We'll be here as long as we're needed," Tedlock said.

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