Saint Louis, MO -- January 14th, 2010 -- On Wednesday, January 6th, 2010, The St. Louis City Department of Human Services tasked AmeriCorps St. Louis with setting up and emergency overflow warming shelter in response to an oncoming cold-snap. Within four hours ACSTL had converted part of their building normally used for presentations and other large activities into a fully functioning shelter with living accommodations for twenty people including a steady supply of food and drink thanks to generous donations by local restaurants. With only one person seeking shelter that first night, it didn't appear as if they would get many more occupants. As the week drew on though, the overnight wind-chills made their way into the negative double digits where they seemed to be staying, and by Friday of that week they were filled to capacity with even more individuals seeking shelter.

Realizing the lack of space in the area they initially set up in, ACSTL Members were called in to convert actual office space into living quarters so as to keep as many people as possible indoors and away from the cold that had reached life-threatening temperatures. At it's fullest the shelter, dubbed the "House of AmeriCorps" by one occupant, reached a total of 56 occupants.

Though it was an operation led by the Emergency Response Team, Members from each o the three ACSTL programs all lent hand to the effort. The shelters required two teams of two to four individuals to be supervising at all times to make sure that the occupants needs' were met. The days were split into four six-hour shifts, with many Members serving in their normal programs during the day, volunteering at the shelter overnight, then heading back to their normal service positions the following morning. It was a busy period but everyone was more than happy that they were able to help those in need. The shelter stayed open for seven days until January 13th of the following week when temperatures returned to more normal conditions.

            The work done on St. Louis Serves day can be comparable to that of superhuman characters- as hefty done in a day projects are taken on by our heroic volunteers who come out in great support of the St. Louis Area Community. As part of a national service program, AmeriCorps St. Louis (ACSTL) strives to make lasting and meaningful connections with the St. Louis Community. Whether tutoring and mentoring the inner city youth of our public school system, or helping to rid the community of the West Nile virus through our Vector program, AmeriCorps St. Louis has a lasting year-round impact on our community. Along with a consistent presence year round, ACSTL has hosted St. Louis Serves Day for the past four years—a city wide event to encourage youth, families, business, and organizations to join together for a day of service and celebration.

            This year, on April 24, 2010, AmeriCorps St. Louis is teaming with a number of organizations and volunteers in an around the St. Louis City and County areas to accomplish multiple done-in-a-day service projects. If your organization is interested in applying to be a host site for the day, please contact outreach@americorps-stl.org and we will be happy to send you more information.