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OUR MISSION
is to break the cycle of homelessness one life at a time. We empower individuals to re-enter the workforce and connect individuals to the resources needed to be as self-sufficient as possible while providing a safe temporary shelter during extreme weather.
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SERVICES
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DONATE & HELP
Your donations are tax-deductible
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VOLUNTEER
Learn more about ways you can help

Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) Fundraiser Walk

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2024

A banner image showing a kaleidoscope image of people wearing winter beanies on a blue background with date and info about the 'Coldest Night of the Year' fundraiser walk.

thank you to our 2024 sponsors!

Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) Fundraiser Walk

FEBRUARY 25, 2023

WATTS is excited to host a new event for Winchester, VA – our first annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) Walk! It’s a FUNdraiser that culminates in a Walk which happens every year in February in cities all over North America. The walk is held in February (a typically snowy and often frigid month) to allow folks to step outside the warmth and comfort of home and experience a little bit of what it might be like to be homeless – the purpose of the walk is to raise awareness and funds for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness. It works similar to Relay for Life or the Out of the Darkness Walk to fight suicide, where you commit to walk and ask family, friends, etc. to sponsor your mileage. Sign up to join us today! We need walkers, teams, volunteers, and donors! ANYONE can participate in this event – the routes (choose the 2k or 5k) are within Winchester city limits, on sidewalks, with easy intersections. Click either image or the button below to go to our CNOY site where you can register. We hope you’ll join us to raise funds for the homeless that we serve!

Become a Sponsor!

Sponsorship in the Coldest Night of the Year is a unique opportunity for businesses to reach a wider audience while aligning with a charity dedicated to supporting your community. WATTS relies on businesses like yours to continue our work. Consider a sponsorship today to bring hope to our city. Click here to learn more about sponsorship.

SEPTEMBER
BBQ Chicken Dinner Fundraiser!

Volunteer Opportunities

WATTS Happening

Check out our latest newsletter!

Upcoming Events

April 2024

Join us for WATTS’ Spring Fitness Challenge, a simple, easy, and fun way to raise money for WATTS while achieving your fitness goals!

Anyone can participate since you choose your own activity and frequency level!  The Spring Fitness Challenge is an online Facebook Fundraiser campaign, happening the whole month of April.  Join our Facebook Challenge Group to create your Facebook fundraiser, share updates about your progress, get encouragement, and more!

Don’t have Facebook?  You can still participate!
Download/print/share the calendar.  Friends can scan the QR code on the calendar to donate directly to WATTS in support of your fitness efforts!  They can also visit our donate page on the website.

May, June, and July 2024

Back by popular demand!  WATTS’ Chicken BBQ Dinner fundraisers will take place one Saturday per month this summer at the Winchester Moose Lodge.  Delicious take-out meal, good price, great cause.
A graphic of a picture of a church with colorful semi-transparent overlay and words sharing info about a daytime cooling center for the homeless.

July 29 - August 30, 2024

WATTS daytime summer Cooling Center opens Monday, July 29!

 

NEW LOCATION: Montague Avenue UMC (102 Montague Ave., Winchester)
Open everyday 12 noon – 5pm.

Anyone age 18 or over experiencing homelessness is welcome to come in from the heat. We offer snacks and drinks, lunch options, connection to resources, restrooms, and new this year: a shower!

 
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September 27, 2024

Save the date!

WATTS’ Inaugural Golf Tournament is set to tee off at 9:00am on Friday, September 27, 2024 at Rock Harbor Golf Course in Winchester!  Sure to be a fun time!  More details coming soon.

 
A graphic of falling, elegant leaves in the background corners, with words about a save the date for an annual fundraiser event.

October 19, 2024

Save the date!

Our annual Caring & Sharing Fundraiser event will be held on Saturday, October 19, at the Winchester Elks Lodge from 5-10pm.  Come out for a fun evening of dinner, music, dancing, cash bar, raffles, selfie station, awards, speakers, and more!

A graphic of a picture of a large, open room, with individual cots setup in rows, and words about the dates for an overnight shelter for the homeless.

November 2, 2024 - March 29, 2025

WATTS’ Overnight Shelter Season starts back on Saturday, November 2, 2024.

WATTS is on Facebook and Instagram!

In Their Own Words

WATTS is a lifesaver – I feel safe and have met new friends. I really don’t know where I would be without WATTS – lonely and hungry for sure. Just the fact that you remembered my name means a lot. I will get my SSI in August, hope to get my knees fixed and get a job and my own place. It has been 3 years since I lost my job and house – WATTS has helped me get through this time – I have hope.
Mike
WATTS Guest
WATTS gives us a degree of hope and worth – hopelessness and uselessness are predominant feelings when you are in this situation – to see the human generosity and Christian charity among the WATTS volunteers gives a feeling of hope and worth. WATTS has kept me safe – it is really rough out in the woods and not always safe. WATTS is really a good program – I am nourished and kept warm and WATTS gives many of us a feeling of belonging when we are often treated as outcasts.
Tom
WATTS Guest
Without the help of WATTS I may not be living right now – I’m not sure I would have made it this far through the cold. WATTS was there when I was down and out – they helped me through some days when I could not help myself. After the shelter closes I will be stable, I have a job and have been able to save some money. Yes, WATTS has truly been a blessing – it has helped me in so many ways.
Ricky
WATTS Guest
If it wasn’t for WATTS I would have froze to death a couple of times. WATTS is really great, for all of these volunteers to give their time up to help us means a LOT to everyone in the program. Thank you for all you do.
Bill
WATTS Guest