Kelowna

Inn from the Cold Kelowna will open its doors for the winter season on Sunday, November 1.

This reflects a two-week increase at the beginning of the shelter season and translates into about 450 more warm sleeps being offered to guests over last year.

Inn from the Cold Kelowna also has plans to remain open until the end of March 2010, another two week increase over last year.

However, recent renovations undertaken to comply with fire safety regulations have seriously depleted the financial reserves of this non-profit charitable organization.

Inn from the Cold Kelowna will be implementing “A Night at the Inn,” a new fundraising initiative to help ensure that their doors remain open this season.

“'A Night at the Inn' offers businesses, service groups, schools and individuals the opportunity to sponsor a warm, safe and comfortable night’s sleep for our most vulnerable citizens,” says Tara Tschritter, Volunteer and Shelter Coordinator.

Sponsorship will be offered electronically from their website beginning this November.

“This is a unique opportunity for the shelter to partner with community-minded groups and socially-conscious businesses that really want to make a difference.”

In addition to the threat posed by cold winter nights, Inn from the Cold is especially cognizant this year of the threat posed by the H1N1 virus and has undertaken steps to ensure that any risks to guests, volunteers and staff will be minimized.

These measures include hand-sanitizing stations and washing protocol and a safety plan to ensure that all people who come to the shelter will be kept as protected and healthy as possible.

Inn from the Cold Kelowna is the only low barrier co-ed shelter offering a warm, compassionate and safe refuge for both men and women in Kelowna.

The shelter anticipates that over 900 volunteer shifts will be filled at the shelter this season.