As Share the Warmth of Hillsdale County opens for the season, local businesses and churches are gathering to help support the shelter. 

“We couldn’t do it without the community, they are wonderful,” said Penny Myers, the warming center’s executive director. “We are very thankful and grateful.” 

Myers said it took lots of work to gain this support, including speaking at churches, speaking on the radio, and spreading awareness through the Hillsdale Daily News and social media. Myers said several local businesses and churches have continued to offer not only financial support, but also clothing, supplies, and volunteer hours.

Drew’s Place of Hillsdale, an assisted living facility, has supported the warming center for nearly three years. Owner John Drew previously served as a board member for Share the Warmth and now focuses his time on maintaining the facility and providing supplies. Drew said he has found many ways to help the organization and expressed his support for its mission. 

“I feel called to help people when I can, especially those who are in such a low position that it’s hard for them to even reach out for help,” Drew said. “When people get to a shelter, they’ve exhausted most of their resources and have a lot of reasons why they’re not able to live normally at that point. If you can, always give somebody a leg up.”

Small business owner Disha Patel also said she wanted to help those in the community. Through her business, D’s Creations, Patel has donated household items to shelter guests and holds an annual bake sale to fundraise for the warming center.

“When I learned about Share the Warmth, I decided to blend my desire to help those in need and serve the community through my small business,” Patel said. “It is a great initiative to help the most unfortunate and needy people in our community.”

Sozo Church, located at 7 S. Manning St., has housed the warming center for the past few years, offering shelter for the homeless during winter. Lead pastor at the church, Rev. Edward Spreeman, said this ministry has been a blessing and benefit to the congregation, as it challenges them to walk in Christian love. Spreeman said the church shares this responsibility with the community. 

“We have always looked at it as a community responsibility,” Spreeman said.