Okaloosa County Cold Weather Shelter Opens Tonight
Okaloosa County Cold Weather Shelter opens tonight at Mary Esther Methodist Church, 703 E. Miracle Strip Parkway. The Cold Weather Shelter Program includes six community churches providing protection to those in need during freezing weather.
According to weather forecasts, temperatures are expected to dip into the hi-30s tonight.
Host shelters and days of operation:
Sunday - First Presbyterian Church (corner of Beal and First Street)
Monday - Mary Esther Methodist (703 E. Miracle Strip Parkway)
Tuesday - Gregg Chapel AME (34 Carson Street)
Wednesday - St. Simon Episcopal Church (28 SW Miracle Strip Parkway)
Thursday - Hollywood Boulevard Baptist (204 SE Hollywood Blvd.)
Friday - First Baptist Church (21 First St. Ft. Walton Beach)
Saturday - Seventh-Day-Adventist (119 SW St. Mary Avenue)
The Cold Weather Shelters are part of the Continuum of Care Program implemented by the Okaloosa Coalition on the Homeless five years ago. Program organizers estimate approximately 50 to 65 individuals take advantage of the shelters each time one opens. Shelters operate from 6 p.m. until 8 a.m. when evening temperatures are predicted to reach below 40 degrees.