MAYOR SAYS THANK YOU FOR SHELTER HELP

Image courtesy of The Chronicle-Telegram  

On behalf of the City of Elyria and those we serve, I would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to everyone who helped provide emergency shelter services during our recent polar vortex.  As a very willing and proactive partner, St. Mary Church and Reverend Charles Diedrick stepped up to provide the centrally located downtown shelter site and volunteers to assist city personnel. 

In all, our caring community provided the temporary warming shelter that served 21 individuals over two of the coldest days in our history.  Thanks to the Elyria police and fire departments, several homeless individuals were coaxed out of the cold and into the warm and safe environment staffed by police, Elyria Health Department nurses, the Mayor’s staff and other city employees.  Other citizens who had no heat due to broken furnaces or other circumstances were also helped.  We even had a traveler passing through Elyria who missed her bus connection stay with us for a night. 

The American Red Cross provided cots and blankets, LifeCare Ambulance offered to transport equipment and people, and Lorain County Emergency Management helped link services to the community.  Food was plentiful thanks to generous donations from Olive Garden, Panera Bread, Burger King, McDonalds, Wolfys Bistro and Pub, Marcos, Dunkin Donuts, Sam’s Club and several individuals.    

The citizens of Elyria can be proud for pulling together and taking care of each other during this very trying time.  Your warm hearts and caring hands wrapped themselves around those most vulnerable and we are so very grateful. 

Holly Brinda

Mayor