'Coldest Night of the Year' walk for WATTS in Winchester, VA on February 24, 2024 saw 845 people come out and brave the cold, wet, blustery weather in support of the homeless in our community. Pictured here, droves of walkers make their way through the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley portion of the 5K route and Winchester PD was on scene to assist with road crossings.

Hundreds of walkers gather at Braddock Street UMC and along Wolfe Street for the 5pm send-off of 'Coldest Night of the Year' fundraiser walk for WATTS.

March 2024

Well, friends - we did it! The final count is in, and including walk-up registrations we had 845 people come out and walk for WATTS in Coldest Night of the Year 2024!! On top of that, you blew away our monetary goal of $65,000 - we're currently sitting at over $100,000 raised for WATTS and donations are still being processed through March 31! This is truly astounding and beyond what we could've ever imagined - we stand in awe.

The weather "cooperated" and there was a spitting of snow and rain happening at our send-off ceremony! Folks were indeed cold and truly got an experience of being outside, homeless, on a winter evening. We thank you for sticking it out, braving the cold and empathizing with our guests' daily plight.

A former WATTS guest, Quincy (who just moved into his apartment on March 1!!) gave a heartfelt testimony to the crowd of his experience being homeless for the past few months even while employed. He gave humble thanks to all those he's met on this journey, both in and outside of our shelter, and encouraged us to not judge a book by its cover - everyone has a story. Virginia's Lieutenant Governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, also attended the event and gave send-off remarks. She praised our community for being the solution: the Good Samaritans who see a need and do something about it, leading with love.

Here's a look at all the solutions you've helped to accomplish so far this season:

-7 individuals reconnecting with family

-26 IDs obtained

-11 individuals entering rehab

-3 individuals starting school for a trade or skill

-32 individuals receiving job search assistance

-10 individuals supported at medical appointments

-74 prescriptions picked up at Northwestern for guests

-35 housing applications submitted

-2 individuals obtaining housing locally

Each of these successes and more are made possible through your support of WATTS at fundraisers such as Coldest Night of the Year. We're so grateful that you care, and we can tell you how much it means to our guests as well. They saw you walking, both last year and this year, and they were so touched. You are bringing hope, and you are changing lives!

Donations can still be made online through March 31 at: https://cnoy.com/winchester. THANK YOU again for your support and for making this such a successful event for WATTS and our guests! ♥

Next year's date:

Saturday, February 22, 2025

You can continue to follow this year's progress by clicking the button to view our Winchester page and scoreboard!

Check out the Winchester scoreboard!

IN MEMORIAM - Ms. Pat Konschak

Ms. Pat Konschak, who was influential in the founding of WATTS back in 2009, passed away on February 12, 2024. She also served as a Lead Volunteer for many years with her church. Pat's heart for missions was huge and she was always helping someone. In her career, she was well-loved by many students as a school teacher. We are grateful for Pat's impact on our organization, and for her life that touched so many, including those of our guests.

MEET OUR MARCH OVERNIGHT HOSTS!

Cornerstone United Pentecostal Church

Cornerstone UPC was a new host church last year, and they absolutely knocked it out of the park! Their kindness and care for our guests was beautiful, and they were a really fun, close group. Cornerstone offers a volunteer-manned welcome coffee bar each evening and held Bible studies which our guests were invited to join.

Winchester Church of God (WINCOG)

WINCOG's Family Life Center is easily the largest space we get to occupy during the season! There are always volunteers a-plenty with giving, loving hearts who are ready to serve. WINCOG offers lots of extras like haircuts, and our guests like to watch movies on the big pull-down screen.

Macedonia United Methodist Church

Macedonia is another church who has been hosting WATTS for a long time. They have fun and show much love to our guests, spending time getting to know them and hear their stories. Macedonia enjoys doing a themed St. Patrick's Day dinner for our guests and last year they offered a clothes closet full of great, needed items!

First Christian Church

The last week of the overnight shelter season always goes to First Christian Church. They love being the final week because they do a special ministry of blessing our guests with backpacks of items they will need. A cookout is always held on the very last evening of WATTS which the guests really enjoy. First Christian also does a laundry ministry for our guests year-round on the second Saturdays.

Paint Day at the Warming Center

Our WATTS guests were getting a little winter stir-crazy and several of them mentioned wanting to paint. We have quite a talented group of artistic individuals! One of our managers, Kathy, set out to make Paint Day a realty. Her small business, Twistedwhisker Catnip, sponsored the supplies and a date was set. The guests enjoyed the day so much and Kathy noted how focused they were on their work and how much care they took with each piece. Some of our guests painted pre-drawn canvases, and others did freehand; many beautiful pieces resulted. Kathy had enough supplies left over to do two more Paint Days in February. She then held a small art show for our guests at the Warming Center, complete with finger foods! Our guests' artwork was also on display at Coldest Night of the Year where folks could donate money specifically to go towards buying more art supplies for our guests to use and enjoy. Several folks even expressed interest in purchasing pieces created by our guests! Thank you, Kathy, for giving them this creative outlet and to all who have admired and appreciated their work!

Join 'Heroes for WATTS' monthly donor club

In February, we launched our new Monthly Donor Club, Heroes for WATTS! This initiative allows you to help support WATTS year-round on a regular basis. With options for $10 - $40 per month, or any customized amount, everyone is able to help at a level where they are comfortable. Here are some ways in which your monthly gift will support our mission to end homelessness one life at a time:

$10 |month - 12 IDs or 2 apartment application fees

$20 |month - 1 person overnight shelter for 8 days

$30 |month - 1 person day shelter for 24 days

$40 |month - 2 people travel funds to return to family

Join Heroes for WATTS

(No PayPal account needed - credit and debit cards are accepted)

SNIPPETS

Coming to H'burg

The City of Harrisonburg has purchased a property to strengthen their efforts to combat homelessness through the building of a permanent, low-barrier shelter! The architectural concept can be seen above. Valley Open Doors was recently chosen to run the shelter, slated to be in operation by October 2024. Open Doors was formerly known as "HARTS" and is the program on which WATTS was based. We are excited to follow this amazing community effort as it develops!

ARK Encounter

During Acts of Random Kindness week, we witnessed two young ladies going along the downtown walking mall, giving out single-stem tulips to anyone they encountered! A few of our guests were the recipients and this simple, beautiful act gave them pure joy that radiated on their faces. Everyone these young ladies gave a flower to couldn't help but smile. It truly created a ripple effect of touching many hearts as this post reached over 30,000 people on Facebook!

AGO Donation

The Winchester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists held their annual Christmas benefit concert with a free-will offering on December 29 at Grace Lutheran Church. The collection was to benefit WATTS and Winchester Rescue Mission! This year's theme was the Nativity, with solo organ selections, as well as voice, choirs, and instruments! Many Nativities from around the world were on display at the reception. Linda presented a check to WATTS at the Warming Center earlier this month.

DONATIONS, DONATIONS!

THANK YOU to each and every one of you for these generous donations in the month of February!

-Chipotle Fundraiser

Thanks to all who ate out on 2/3 - you brought in over $160 for WATTS!

-Local Preschool (pictured)

The littles made care packages for our guests as an activity during their Kindness Week!

-Stephens City Mennonite Church

They did a new winter gloves drive for our guests!

-Valley Health Wellness Center

Donated warm winter beanies for our guests!

-Rick & Jane Cosman (pictured)

They continue to volunteer at the Warming Center on a regular basis and do lunch for our guests - even making pulled pork in the truck bed onsite!

-Margie Harrison & family & friends

They have done lunch for our guests a couple times!

-Winchester Neurological Consultants

They continue to make regular food donations from their catered lunches!

-Blue Ridge Hospice Independence at Home

Donations of food and snack items!

-Navy Federal Credit Union

They had a team come by and do lunch for our guests!

-FEMA OICO

Their team came in to do a lunch at the Warming Center!

-Blue Ridge Agents Insurance (pictured)

They've been doing a weekly table at the Warming Center to talk with our guests about insurance benefits, and they did a lunch!

-Love to NIC

Brought a delicious lunch to celebrate Chinese New Year!

-Valentine's Day desserts and treats (pictured)

Several individuals in our community donated a variety of special Valentine treats for our guests!

-Elks Lodge 867 (pictured)

Another donation of additional cots for the overnight shelter!

-Blue Ridge Association of Realtors

They held an office chili-cookoff event to raise donations and collect toiletry supplies for us!

-Hites Chapel UMC

Donations of food and snack items for our Warming Center!

-Knights of Columbus

Donations of extra food and also snack/food items!

-Kim C. & Holy Cannoli

Donations of propane tanks for guests!

-Our Top 10 CNOY Teams:

WINCOG Care (some of the team pictured)
Walkers for WATTS
Blue Ridge Assoc. of Realtors
New Life Christian Church - Kraig's Team
New Life #1 - Stacy's Team
Braddock Street UMC
Winchester Bible Church
Walking Talkies
Southside Church of Christ
American Woodmark

-Our Top 10 CNOY Fundraisers:

Mike Ashby - Team Walkers for WATTS
Kent Woodward - Team WINCOG Care
Tracey Quick - Team FASTSIGNS
Stacey Umbenour - Team Walking Talkies
Greg Poole - Team Poole's Peeps
Melissa Ambers - Team Winchester Bible Church
Carleton Rio - Team Kiwanis Club Winchester
Judy Kay Schroer - Team Walkers for WATTS
Connie Barnes - Team New Life #1 - Stacy's Team
Clay Perry - Team One Four Three

-And SO many more individuals and anonymous friends! ♥ We are grateful for your continued kindness and generosity!

WATTS daytime Warming Center

current needs:

*Individual Lunch-on-the-go packs (like tuna & chicken salad)

*Sugar

*Fresh fruit (like bananas and clementines)

*Packs of new Men's crew neck T-shirts (all sizes)

*Packs of new Men's boxer brief underwear (all sizes)

*A few men's belts(8*

Reminder: The Warming Center closes for the season on Friday, March 29. The Amazon wishlist will be closed down two weeks prior.

Amazon Wishlist

Volunteer at the Warming Center

The Warming Center is open everyday - Monday thru Saturday 7am-1pm and Sundays 12-5pm. Donations may be dropped off anytime it is open. You can also sign up for a day and do lunch for our guests!

Location: Market Street UMC - 131 S. Cameron Street, Winchester

Enter at the Cork Street side doors; ring the bell/buzzer for someone to come to the door.

LOOKING AHEAD

TGI Fridays Fundraiser Day

Date: Thursday, March 14, 2024

Time: 11:00am - 10:00pm

Location: 111 Crossover Blvd. Winchester, VA

This fundraiser is through GroupRaise so we have to get at least 20 RSVPs in order to hold the event. Hit the button below to RSVP (even if you're not 100% certain you can make it.) Enjoy good food, company, and atmosphere, and support WATTS!

RSVP for TGI Fridays on 3/14