Lee County and its partners activate Cold Weather Outreach Plan for this evening
Lee County Government is coordinating with its partnering entities to activate its Cold Weather Outreach Plan tonight, and the county again this week is asking the community to donate blankets and cold-weather clothing items at its four recreation centers this afternoon and through this Friday to assist homeless and those in need.
Blankets, coats, gloves, socks, hand-warmers and hats can be dropped off at Estero Recreation Center, North Fort Myers Recreation Center, Veterans Park Recreation Center in Lehigh Acres and Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center in south Fort Myers. For addresses and operating hours, visit www.leegov.com/parks/centers.
Lee County Emergency Management, the Lee County Department of Human & Veteran Services, Lee County Administration and county partners are implementing the plan because of the forecast for wind chill and low temperatures in the 40s Wednesday morning.
· Emergency Management is monitoring the cold temperatures and encourages residents to monitor updates from the National Weather Service.
· The county and its nonprofit partners have identified additional overnight sheltering capacity at the Bob Janes Triage Center, which is managed by The Salvation Army.
· The Human & Veteran Services’ coordinated entry phone line has been updated with a cold-weather announcement that promotes outreach locations, transportation assistance, sheltering and supplies. The number is 239-533-7996.
· The county has identified several designated outreach locations on or near LeeTran routes for volunteers and staff to distribute blankets, hand-warmers, socks, hot coffee and a one-day LeeTran pass if a homeless person accepts a sheltering offer. This will begin between 5 and 6 p.m. today.
· Staff and partnering agencies will conduct targeted outreach throughout today to known homeless encampments as well as locations such as Schandler Hall Park, Lion’s Park, Cornog Plaza at the Fort Myers Regional Library, LeeTran’s Rosa Parks terminal, LeeTran’s Edison Mall terminal, LeeTran’s Cape Coral Transfer Station and LeeTran’s beach Park & Ride.
· In addition to the public bringing donations to the four recreation centers, the county is partnering with the Fort Myers Police Department. Its headquarters building in downtown Fort Myers is accepting donations 24 hours a day.
Additional updates will be provided as needed. Visit www.leegov.com , check Lee County Government on Facebook.