Egan Warming Center

More frigid weather is coming to the South Willamette Valley.  The Egan Warming Centers in Eugene and Springfield plan to activate Friday night and be on standby through next week.

Friends, officials, and homeless advocates gathered to honor the memory of Thomas Egan today, at the site of his death roughly eight years ago.  As KLCC’s Brian Bull reports, the veteran’s legacy lives on through a warming shelter service in his name.  

As temperatures drop and rain increases, homeless people in Lane County will find more opportunities for shelter than year's past. But local non-profits say it may not be enough.

Friday is the 7th anniversary of the death of Major Thomas Egan. The Army veteran froze to death on a cold night in Eugene. His passing inspired the creation of The Egan Warming Center which offers a warm place for homeless people to sleep on freezing nights.

The Egan Warming Centers in Eugene Springfield were open for 5 nights over this past week of sub freezing temperatures. The shelters were not open last night, Sunday, organizers say, because volunteers were exhausted.

With temperatures forecast to be at or below freezing, the Egan Warming Centers plan to open Tuesday and Wednesday. They'll be on standby through next Monday [Nov. 30].

On Monday, the Eugene City Council is expected to vote for a legal overnight camping spot for homeless people during the winter.