NEWBURYPORT — After recently opening its emergency shelter, the Salvation Army is looking for more volunteers to help ensure services are always maintained as winter drudges on.
Since Jan. 5, the shelter has been made available either when temperatures drop below 20 degrees or by request from Mayor Sean Reardon during storms or severe weather.
Located at Salvation Army headquarters at 40 Water St., the shelter is open form 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. to Greater Newburyport residents, including those who live Newburyport, Amesbury, Salisbury, Newbury, West Newbury, Rowley and Byfield.
During the most recent storm that saw the city receive 2 feet of snow between Sunday and Monday, the shelter was open 24 hours both days, providing 11 overnight stays.
Now with the shelter open through this Sunday as the region continues to face a strong cold front, Berkhoudt shared a message with the community in the form of a video posted to the Salvation Army’s Facebook page, in which she thanked the community while asking for continued support.
“I first want to start by saying thank you to the amazing encouragement in messages we’ve been receiving. It has been so powerful to read, and on behalf of the Salvation Army and our volunteers, we just want to say thank you,” Berkhoudt said, in the video.
She said a lot of folks have been asking how they can get involved, and she said one need they currently really need is an on call overnight volunteer.
“You are a substitute, should someone call in because of an emergency. On call overnight volunteers do require background check and an orientation to help go through what to expect and what the procedures and protocols are,” Berkhoudt said, in the video.
She said they would be teamed up with a team leader every night that helps guide them through the protocols and to ensure that both they and the guests are all safe and comfortable.
“Another way to volunteer is to set up and break down morning and evening,” Berkhoudt said, in the video.
Volunteer and team leader Marianne Vessey said she has loved being a part of the organization since beginning in November.
“There’s so many things I’m impressed by,” Vessey said.
She said she was drawn in by the initial discussions of an overnight shelter.
“I think it’s just so important for this area,” Vessey said.
Asked why she thinks others should join in volunteering, she said it fills an essential need for others.
“It’s far more gratifying than you can ever imagine,” Vessey said.
For those who do not have the time to physically volunteer, Berkhoudt said they are always appreciative of financial support.
“To run a shelter, there are some costs. There are costs to operate the lights and they feed. There are costs to food and supplies, and we want to ensure that we’d always have a full stop of supplies ready,” Berkhoudt said.
Those interested in volunteering or financially contributing should reach out to her at jessica.berkhoudt@use.salvationarmy.org.
“We are looking for volunteers. We are looking for sponsors. We are looking for people to come alongside us and continue to help us serve the communities, and we want you to be a part of that,” Berkhoudt said.
The shelter is referral based, with folks told to email Berkhoudt to be registered for an evening.
Valid IDs and sobriety are mandatory. If an individual does not have an ID, an agency may provide a letter on official letterhead verifying the person’s identity. A breathalyzer test will be administered prior to entry.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.