Red Cross Shelter at St. Peter Catholic Church
Report from John Hartling - Blizzard, March 14-16, 2021
Was told to open shelter as a "warming center" (not cots or food except water & snacks)at 1200 Saturday then they moved it up to ASAP. All 7 team members arrived and we set things up for a Covid environment with a limit of 50 clients. About 7 PM with no clients I sent everyone home except Bob Lynn and he and I spent the night. Other team members came back first thing in the morning. Got told 3 times to send the team home; the last time we had packed everything up and was loading my truck when State Patrol requested we remain open. By this time the blizzard was in full swing so sent everyone home except Bob Lynn, Rob Hoette and myself; and decided to start bringing in clots and blankets from the trailer which was now difficult to get to in 3 feet of snow drifts.
Clients starting coming in about 4:00 and we made 3 more trips and team was exhausted trekking through the snow and setting up cots. Most folks were trying to get up I25 -which was closed - trying to get to the airport. Wound up with 45 folks. Some unique situation included:
- Security Guard with a gun - had to isolate him in hallway of school
- Mother & daughter trying to get to Denver Hospital from Durango for surgery - had to
isolate them in a classroom
- Man exposed to Covid who I isolated in classroom
- 2 dogs
Fed MRE meals and had clients "cook" there own which was a first time adventure for most; but got rave reviews. Planned on "borrowing" from KofC to cook pancakes and sausage for breakfast.
Put 45 clients to bed at 2200 and got awakened at midnight asking if I could take 18 more people from a nearby church and put them God only know where. Pushed back pretty hard and they cancelled the "demand". Turned the lights on at 0800 fed everyone before folks started leaving. 5 groups stuck around because they didn't know where their cars were at or they were "buried". Called for help from KofC but nobody could get out of their driveways. Finally after digging our own vehicles out Rick, Bob, Rob and I started bringing folks to where they thought their cars were at and helping them dig out as needed.
Kudos to my team who were heroes in a very challenging environment and it was a pleasure to work with them. We learned a lot i.e. start bringing cots/blankets in BEFORE the snow starts no matter a directive to be a "warming center".
MANY THANKS TO:
- ST. PETER SCHOOL for use of the facility
- KofC for donation of breakfast
- Sean Hartling who towed/dug out numerous stranded motorists out on his own
- Thea Wasche for patience with me
- My Team members:
Bob Lynn
Rick Rank
Daryl Barker
Dave Davern
Wayne Volesky - Provided WiFi in the gym for all the clients
Rob Hoette
Dave McCloy
- All the clients who pitched in and helped get cots/blankets from the trailer and then set up and disassembled them
- Fr. Golyzniak for support and prayers
Was told to open shelter as a "warming center" (not cots or food except water & snacks)at 1200 Saturday then they moved it up to ASAP. All 7 team members arrived and we set things up for a Covid environment with a limit of 50 clients. About 7 PM with no clients I sent everyone home except Bob Lynn and he and I spent the night. Other team members came back first thing in the morning. Got told 3 times to send the team home; the last time we had packed everything up and was loading my truck when State Patrol requested we remain open. By this time the blizzard was in full swing so sent everyone home except Bob Lynn, Rob Hoette and myself; and decided to start bringing in clots and blankets from the trailer which was now difficult to get to in 3 feet of snow drifts.
Clients starting coming in about 4:00 and we made 3 more trips and team was exhausted trekking through the snow and setting up cots. Most folks were trying to get up I25 -which was closed - trying to get to the airport. Wound up with 45 folks. Some unique situation included:
- Security Guard with a gun - had to isolate him in hallway of school
- Mother & daughter trying to get to Denver Hospital from Durango for surgery - had to
isolate them in a classroom
- Man exposed to Covid who I isolated in classroom
- 2 dogs
Fed MRE meals and had clients "cook" there own which was a first time adventure for most; but got rave reviews. Planned on "borrowing" from KofC to cook pancakes and sausage for breakfast.
Put 45 clients to bed at 2200 and got awakened at midnight asking if I could take 18 more people from a nearby church and put them God only know where. Pushed back pretty hard and they cancelled the "demand". Turned the lights on at 0800 fed everyone before folks started leaving. 5 groups stuck around because they didn't know where their cars were at or they were "buried". Called for help from KofC but nobody could get out of their driveways. Finally after digging our own vehicles out Rick, Bob, Rob and I started bringing folks to where they thought their cars were at and helping them dig out as needed.
Kudos to my team who were heroes in a very challenging environment and it was a pleasure to work with them. We learned a lot i.e. start bringing cots/blankets in BEFORE the snow starts no matter a directive to be a "warming center".
MANY THANKS TO:
- ST. PETER SCHOOL for use of the facility
- KofC for donation of breakfast
- Sean Hartling who towed/dug out numerous stranded motorists out on his own
- Thea Wasche for patience with me
- My Team members:
Bob Lynn
Rick Rank
Daryl Barker
Dave Davern
Wayne Volesky - Provided WiFi in the gym for all the clients
Rob Hoette
Dave McCloy
- All the clients who pitched in and helped get cots/blankets from the trailer and then set up and disassembled them
- Fr. Golyzniak for support and prayers
