Overnight warming center opens in Princeton to help those without a place to sleep

As wind chills dipped well below zero Monday night, Princeton Police Chief Tom Kammerer was pleased to report to the City Council a warming center recently opened in Princeton for people who do not have a place to sleep at night.

The warming center opened 10 days ago at the Arukah Living Room site on Route 26. It operates from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., providing a cot, a snack and a beverage to those who need it.

Last winter, Arukah housed 37 people throughout the winter, Kammerer told the council in December.

Mayor Ray Mabry thanked Arukah, the Princeton Ministerial Association, Kammerer and other volunteers for their efforts in getting the warming center off the ground. The effort has been in the works for more than a year, as the closest homeless shelter to Princeton is in Peru. The mayor said the warming center is helping Bureau County residents have a warm and safe place to stay through the winter.

Mabry said the warming center is looking for volunteers. Those who want to volunteer can call Tammy at 815-866-9557. Two to four people are needed per night, working shifts 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and 2 to 7 a.m.

In December, Kammerer said 28 volunteers from the community received training to staff the warming center. The eight-hour training class educated volunteers on mental health, terminology and safety, among other topics, he said.