Spring 2024

Hope: It's something we could all use a little more of.

On March 30, our winter overnight shelter season came to its end, with our daytime Warming Center having closed down the day prior. It's always a somber time at WATTS - we hope to not see our guests the next season (because our Transition Support Staff members continue working to help our guests with ending their homelessness, and we keep the faith that their circumstances will improve); but then we also don't know whether we'll ever see them again or not.

Despite the heavy emotions, we can still have hope. This season, you've helped to bring about A LOT of hope. 294 unique individuals were served by WATTS this season. Our guests were blessed with warmth, food & drink, a place to rest that was safe, had basic needs met, made connection to WATTS staff who were there to help, and met the most amazing community who loved on them and cared for them. Guests obtained IDs, attained jobs, started school for a trade, entered rehab, reconnected with family, received medical support, a few even obtained housing (a HUGE accomplishment in an area where there is limited affordable housing) and more! As each individual saw movement towards a better future, they could begin to hope again. As they received your loving-kindness, their self-worth was built up. Hope is contagious, and you're spreading it ♥

Through your donations, gifts, talents, meals, time volunteered, services, needed items donated, love, prayers, and more, YOU made this season a success! It takes over 2,200 volunteers each year for WATTS' winter season - THANK YOU to each and every one of you for all that you do! We are eternally grateful and indebted to you.

Please accept humble appreciation and gratitude from our guests as well. Continue to remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

See you this summer for our Cooling Center!

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Double R Entertainment & Catering Inc.

Rodney (left photo) and Ryan (red shirt, right photo), co-owners of Double R Entertainment & Catering Inc. volunteered their time to come out to the overnight shelter at Winchester Church of God in March to play Music BINGO. Our guests loved it so much and had the most wonderful time! Rodney and Ryan shared, "We wanted nothing more than to give a reason to smile for those who don't usually have that luxury. It was an absolute blast seeing [the WATTS guests] enjoying themselves."

CNOY 2024 Video Recap

Jonathan Harbaugh captured and edited together this video recap of Coldest Night of the Year for us! Click to play and check it out!

WATTS Spring Fitness Challenge

We're doing an online Facebook Fundraiser Challenge throughout the month of April! Join us (even if you don't have Facebook) in achieving your fitness goals while raising money for WATTS! Choose an activity and your frequency - anyone can participate since it's go-at-your-own-pace. Then, complete your activity throughout April, recording your progress on the handy, printable calendar, and asking friends to donate to WATTS in support of your fitness efforts! If you're on Facebook, start a FB Fundraiser for us (join the Challenge Group for more info and support!) If you're not on Facebook, friends can scan the QR code on the calendar to donate directly to WATTS or you can send them to the Donate page on our website!

Facebook Challenge Group

Downloadable Calendar

SNIPPETS

Hymn Sing Benefit

Fairview Church in Stephens City held a hymn sing in March to benefit WATTS! It was a joyous time with congregational singing, plus soloists, duets, and groups! Over $1,000 was raised through the free-will offering!

Paul's New Ride

Blue Ridge Bicycles on Papermill Road donated a bike for Paul to be able to get to and from work! Paul was so thankful to receive this amazing blessing and we're over here crying at how happy he was!

Kingsdown Mattress

Kingsdown Inc. in Winchester donated a brand new mattress for our former guest, Quincy! Quincy, who spoke at our CNOY event in February, got moved into his apartment in March! (Stock photo for privacy reasons.)

Expression

Many of our guests have discovered a healthy outlet through art this season. Emotional expression through art forms, rather than numbing or avoiding via substances, has been life-changing! The artist who painted this piece just started painting this season at WATTS and has found a new talent. Many guests also practice an attitude of gratitude and thankfulness - this is a great reminder for us all that what we choose to focus upon can make a world of difference ♥

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)

DONATIONS, DONATIONS!

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

-TGI Fridays Fundraiser

Thanks to all who ate out on 3/14 at TGI Fridays - you brought in over $160 for WATTS!

-BMW Charge (Boyce, Millwood, & White Post UMCs) (pictured)

Their congregations did a food/snack items collection for us , plus they made a monetary donation!

-Navy Federal

Several departments did snack collections for us!

-Margie Harrison & family & friends

Margie and her crew regularly provide lunch at the Warming Center and it's always a hit!

-Ann Mauck (pictured)

She has been baking and donating all kinds of goodies each week for our guests to enjoy!

-Plants for Purpose (pictured)

A guest was gifted 2 small plants to care for (with all the supplies donated too) and it's given her great purpose and fulfillment!

-Love to NIC

SO many donations - rain gear, new shoes, t-shirts, and socks plus a delicious lunch on the final day of the Warming Center!

-FEMA

Another group/department came in to the Warming Center to do lunch!

-Winchester City

Kit, Justin, and Kenny came in to share a presentation with our guests about the new WinReady bus service changes, and the City donated many heater/ready meals for our guests to take!

-Opequon Presbyterian's Senior Outreach

Donated hot food for our guests to enjoy for lunch at the Warming Center!

-Liberty Baptist Church in Stephens City

They had Robyn & Prince on their podcast to share about the misconceptions of homelessness!

-Pastor Kent & WINCOG Care

Donated a bike for a guest to get around!

-Knead Bread (pictured)

They have donated "extras" of bread and goodies each Sunday all season long!

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

LOOKING AHEAD

April 13 & 20

Happening THIS month, join our Youth Bowl-a-thon for WATTS! Open to all youth groups, scouts, school clubs & organizations, etc! Form a team of 4 and reach out to us to get registered today!

May 10

WATTS is a beneficiary of Frederick County Rotary Club's Golf Ball Drop on May 10 at Sherando Park! Purchase one of their numbered golf balls for a chance to win up to $4,000! Closest to the target wins. It will be a whole evening of family fun, so plan to come on out!

Purchase a Golf Ball

Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter

Breaking the cycle of homelessness one life at a time.

Board of Directors

Donate Now

Spring 2024

CNOY 2024 Video Recap

Join 'Heroes for WATTS' ﻿monthly donor club

Join 'Heroes for WATTS' monthly donor club