'No one should have to sleep outdoors and die due to freezing'

EUGENE, Ore. - Temperatures are expected to drop this week, and advocates for the homeless said the Egan Warming Center could open this Friday night.

In preparation for the cold season, organizers are already holding fundraisers and asking for the public's help to keep the Egan Warming Center going.

David Evarts, a site leader at the Egan Warming Center youth site, organized a Christian concert benefit on Tuesday night to help with the cause.

Dozens of patrons came to New Life Church in Springfield where some gave cash for the concert and others donated gloves, hats, and socks for the homeless.

The Egan Warming Center first opened after Major Thomas Egan, a homeless veteran, froze to death on the streets of Eugene in 2008.

"A number of people in the community felt that no one should have to sleep outdoors and die due to freezing," said Evarts.

Now seven different locations such as churches, synagogues, and community centers provide a warm facility for the homeless to go for the night.

"Some of us stay up all night," Evarts said.

Evarts has volunteered as site leader of the Egan Warming Center for years. He said it is quite a challenge.

"It's a little scary wondering if the community will be behind us again and if we'll have enough volunteers," Evarts said.

Evarts said police warned the organizers that 50 percent more people will be out in the cold this year than last year.

"We would like to have at least 300 volunteers to run the sites," Evarts said. "Right now we have 150."

Organizers will announce when the warming center will open two days before the actual day. The sites are only open if the temperature drops below 30 degrees.

For more information on how you can volunteer or donate to the Egan Warming Center, you can go to their website at eganwarmingcenter.com.