KINGSTON — A severe weather shelter in Kingston could be operational in December.

Kingston Cares, a volunteer group that has led the effort to open a shelter, has a target date of Dec. 1. The shelter will be located in the Kingston Community Center.

The group has 37 volunteers. Those available Nov. 18 were expected to go through official training with the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management, according to Kingston Cares President Jane Mack.

“It’s really exciting,” Mack said.

The group began working on establishing a shelter in late 2013/early 2014.

Mack said it’s difficult to estimate how many people will use the shelter when it opens. There is “definitely a need,” she said.

It will be one of two severe-weather shelters in the county. The other is in Bremerton.

During fall 2013, Mack saw two people in their 20s or early 30s sleeping in the shed of the Village Green P-Patch. That’s what got her involved in the outreach effort, she said.

Kingston Cares must meet requirements to open the shelter, including having enough volunteers.

nWhere: Kingston Community Center.

nWhen: Any night with temperatures below freezing, or more than 1 inch of snow, or two days of more than 1 inch of rain.

nOpen: 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

For more information, go to www.kingstoncaresnk.org.

Mack said Kingston Cares’ work won’t end with the shelter. The group is brainstorming future projects, she said.