The Kingston Severe Weather Shelter is seeking volunteers for the 2018-2019 winter season.

Opening on Nov. 1, for its fifth year of operation, the shelter needs additional volunteers. Housed at Kingston’s Village Green Community Center, the severe weather shelter is open from 6:30 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. the following morning on nights when Kitsap County’s Department of Emergency Management’s weather prediction includes freezing temperatures, an inch of rain or an inch of snow in a 24-hour period.

Guests at the shelter are provided with a safe and warm place to stay which includes a cot, bedding, shower facility, warm food and beverages. Socks, gloves, toiletries, bus tokens and gift cards to local eateries are often available, provided by the community through donations to Kingston Cares.

Volunteers work five-hour shifts in pairs. Last winter, volunteer shortages prevented the shelter from opening on some nights. Shortages of volunteers have occurred due to winter travels, illness and inability to get to the shelter due to weather-related road conditions.

Kitsap County provides training, and new volunteers are paired with experienced workers. The severe weather shelter training course will be offered Tuesday, October 23, from 6-9 p.m. at Poulsbo Gateway Fellowship. Space is limited, and advanced registration for the class is requested.

To register, go to: https://tiny.cc/SWS-Training.

Prospective volunteers must fill out a volunteer application and pass a background check. To register to volunteer, please go to http://www.kitsapdem.org/sws.aspx.

Those who would like more information about volunteering in Kingston may contact Mary Gleysteen (360- 297-3894), or Jane Mack (360- 620-1957), or inquire through Kingston Cares at president@kingstoncares.org.