13 February 2024
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka Rescue Mission (TRM) is recognizing a group of local volunteers for their help during last month’s bitterly cold weather to make sure the area’s unhoused residents had a safe place to stay.
Northeast Kansas rang in the new year with a polar vortex that dropped wind chill indices to 20 degrees below zero. The life-threatening conditions moved the TRM to open a temporary warming center. Other area groups quickly followed suit by opening their doors to anyone who needed a warm shelter and a hot meal.
The TRM provided shelter for more than 300 people during those frigid 14 days. It was a community effort Executive Director La Manda Broyles said they could not have accomplished without the help of volunteers.
“Sometimes as a society, we can be quick to share a complaint or a concern,” Broyles said. “My question to myself and my community is ‘Are we just as quick to share gratitude? Are we just as quick to share a compliment when it’s needed?'”
So the TRM did just that. On Monday, Feb. 12 the organization hosted a celebration to thank those people from all walks of life who came together and helped their neighbors in a time of need.
Street Team Ministries Founder Richard Martinez is one of those who stepped up to help. After volunteering at one local warming shelter, he knew he wanted to do even more. So when God’s Way Church in east Topeka opened its doors as an additional warming center, he offered to help organize the operation.
“They pretty much handed me their church. I mean, they were like ‘We trust you, do what you need there,'” Martinez said.
“A lot of people that were in the room today are really the unseen heroes,” Broyles said. “They are people that are blessing our community in small and big ways but often do it without any knowledge or recognition needs.”
If you are interested in learning more about Topeka Rescue Mission and opportunities to volunteer, click here.
For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. To download our Storm Track Weather App, click here.