Record Breaking Temperatures
Central Oregon's efforts to mobilize cooling shelters for our houseless neighbors
With the exception of Death Valley, Oregon was hotter than every place in the United States on Monday, June 28, 2021. As of July 2, the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office had attributed 97 deaths in Oregon to heat-related complications. This unfortunate statistic includes two deaths in Central Oregon. These heat waves are especially dangerous for vulnerable populations, such as those experiencing homelessness. H4A wants to take this opportunity to highlight the efforts of the Homeless Leadership Coalition, Shepherd's House, Jefferson County Faith-Based Network and churches including First Presbyterian of Bend, Mountain View Fellowship of Redmond, the Madras Free Methodist Church, and other groups and individuals who organized and worked tirelessly in the heat to serve our neighbors. The cooling shelters were an invaluable asset to some of our most vulnerable community members. There is always room to learn and improve, but the community turnout during the heatwave was exceptional and inspirational.
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