The church, which is located on Third Street in the Seneca Mall, opened last Friday and had originally planned to be open through today. But with temperatures expected to take a turn for the worse, Refinery Church Pastor Roy Schneider told The Inter-Mountain hat the warming station will stay open through the upcoming weekend.

“Due to the weather conditions, we have extended the day’s operation for the warming station through at least Sunday,” Schneider said. “We have been averaging around 10 people for the overnight portion of the warming station since we opened last Friday. And we’ve had around 30 folks during the day for morning meals and everything else.”

Overnight stays at the church currently run from 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Those needing to use the overnight warming station must arrive and be signed in before 10 p.m. each evening. The church will provide cots, pillows and blankets. If someone were to lose power after the 10 p.m. deadline, they also are welcome to seek help at the warming station.

The warming station serves breakfast and dinner each day. In order to keep serving the community, the Refinery Church is currently looking for volunteers, dinner support, and supplies.

Lasa Rinehart makes sure her daughter, Lakelyn, has all of her warm clothes on correctly as the two prepare to sled down a hill at Davis & Elkins College.

“The community support for the warming station has been phenomenal,” Schneider said. “We couldn’t have done all that we have without the support we have received from the community this past week. The warming station is an example of what we can do in Elkins if we care for our neighbor and work together.”

The Refinery Church is asking for donated items such as disposable coffee cups, plasticware, napkins, bowls, cans of coffee, boxes of cereal, milk, juice boxes or small bottles of juice, fruit, fresh bananas and/or fruit cups, instant oatmeal, bagels and bread, pop tarts, jars of peanut butter and jelly, chips, and individually wrapped cookies, cakes, and snacks.

To volunteer or make a donation, visit the “Randolph County Warming Station” Facebook page and leave a message. Those wanting to contribute can also call the church at 304-621-2947.