Code Purple In Effect in Sussex County

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- Code Purple organizers in Sussex County are looking for overnight help to keep their cold weather shelters open every evening.

"We have nine sites this year which is exciting but that's also grown a huge need for volunteers at all these different sites," explains Susan Kent, executive director of Love Inc. of Mid Delmarva. "We are stretched really thin so we need new people being interested in being part of the solution."

Code Purple Sussex County has shelters across the county, but a lack of overnight volunteers has delayed the opening of the Stone House in Bethany--a shelter for women--and prompted the closure of the Milford shelters last week.

Kimberly Courtney, director of operations for the Immanuel Shelter in Rehoboth, says they could always use more volunteers, be it for overnight help or with donations.

"Our guests really appreciate the outreach of love because unfortunately the homeless are an invisible population," she explains. "So they could be

wandering the streets all day long, trying to keep warm, trying to stay out of sight and they might not have had an interaction all day long."

Guests like Bobby Simmons say volunteers help keep a critical organization open for them.

"It's very quiet, it's very peaceful, it's very warm and it serves a purpose," he tells WBOC. "Right now, it's my saving grace."

Courtney says it's important to get the word out that the shelters are open, and she thanks organizations like Home Depot for creating a partition wall that helped the shelter be ready for guests. Kent agrees that volunteers make a huge difference, not only for the homeless, but for themselves.

"I believe volunteering not only helps your neighbor in need, it helps you," Kent says. "It grows your heart, especially this time of year."

To learn more about Code Purple or to volunteer, click here. To volunteer with the Immanuel Shelter, call 1-888-634-9992 or visit their website

 

 

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