ELKINS — With the threat of hazardous winter weather expected to hit the area this weekend, the Refinery Church in downtown Elkins is looking out for those in need by opening a warming station at its location in the Seneca Mall downtown.

Overnight stays at the church will begin tonight at 7 p.m. and will run for at least seven days until Thursday, Jan. 29, Refinery Church Pastor Roy Schneider said.

“We will stay open as long as we have a volunteer force to execute what needs to be done,” Schneider told The Inter-Mountain. “Dinner and breakfast will be served each day at the warming station and those in need will also be able to have lunch on Friday at the station as well.”

Those needing to use the overnight warning station must arrive and be signed in before 10 p.m. each evening. Cots, pillows and blankets will be available for those using the center. Schneider said that even though there was a sign-in time, if anyone lost power throughout the night at any time, they would be welcome to come to the warming center. Dogs are not permitted inside the facility.

Schneider said that the church has created a Facebook page that gives detailed information about the warming station.

“We have an official Facebook page for all things warming station related,” Schneider said. “It is simply ‘Randolph County Warming Station.’ Folks can go there and stay up to date with everything going on including volunteers needed, food donations, and times of operation. It’s all right there on that page.”

Schneider added that operations of the center are only possible through the generosity of the local community. Items are still needed to ensure everyone is taken care of during the weekend storm, which is expected to have total snowfall accumulations of 10 to 15 inches in the higher elevations. The high temperatures over the weekend are expected to be in the 20s. Overnight temperatures are projected to be in the single digits tonight and for all of next week.

Items needed for the warming station include: plates, 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.

Anyone wishing to volunteer or make a donation is asked to go to the “Randolph County Warming Station” Facebook page and leave a message. Those wanting to contribute can also call 304-621-2947.

Warming Station Schedule:

Today – 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Saturday, Jan. 24 –  7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Sunday, Jan. 25 –  7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Monday, Jan. 26 –  7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 –  7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 28 –  7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 29 – 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. 

Drop-off times for donated items:

Today – 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 25 – 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Monday, Jan. 26 – 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 27 – 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Thursday, Jan. 29 – 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.