To the editor:

Since February 7, it’s been bitterly cold outside, and any wind makes it worse!

I am thankful every day that we have a winter shelter in our city. Thanks to the quick action and support of our mayor and our city commission, the advocacy of the Coalition for Homeless Concerns and of Justice Matters, the caring response of the owners of Day’s Inn, Super 8 and Motel 6, the hard work of city, county and Bert Nash and the Lawrence Community Shelter staff and staff of other local agencies, and the help of many volunteers, some of whom work back-to-back and multiple shifts, our homeless have a warm place to go to keep from getting serious frostbite or freezing to death. To all of these people, I say “Thank you!” Your response is quick and caring and compassionate, and is worthy of the gratitude of the citizens of this city.

We hope and pray that there will be enough money available to keep the winter shelter funded for the rest of the winter.

This time next year, we will hopefully be on a path to more permanent and stable solutions to this problem and will respond to homelessness sensitive to the public health problem that it is.

Susan Tabor,

Lawrence