It’s nice to live where we love our neighbors

Temperatures in Butler County dipped below freezing the first week of February.

Area warming centers are few and are mostly open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday. The cold temperatures not only put the homeless people in the community in danger, but some folks who have a place to live don’t have adequate heating.

A few years ago, a veteran who owned his home but didn’t have utilities died during an extended cold snap. Concerns for those in need prompted calls to agencies and churches who are known for offering helping hands in times of need or crises. A message was left on one answering machine and a worker at another said “I’ll get back to you in a few minutes.”

The next call was a minister from one of the churches saying, “we’re working on a site. We’ll be back with you soon.” The calls continued until a group, composed of community leaders, business professionals and ministers, called to share details of where those in need could receive help.

That afternoon, at least two churches, a doctor, public and governmental agencies, local businesses and individuals, many of whom wanted no recognition, had a designated place where friends and neighbors in need could get inside, out of the cold, sleep in a warm, comfortable area, have hot showers and eat hot food and snacks. They had solved problems brought on by COVID to keep those at the warming center safe.

Isn’t it nice to live in a community with friends and neighbors care enough to love their neighbor as themselves?

Barb Horton is a staff writer at the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at bhorton.dar@gmail.com.