" It was pitch black, freezing cold, and snowing heavily as I cautiously drove home one night this past February. I barely made out someone walking in dark clothing, with the flow of traffic, on the other side of the road. His name was Mike, and he had lots of answers that didn’t make a lot of sense to my many questions. He was headed for Providence, a 14 hour walk in the best weather, but a deadly walk in those conditions. He had no coat or flashlight, no water bottle or food, only a ragged sweatshirt, and tennis shoes. My home was only minutes away, but the thought of going there seemed to terrify him. I called my friend, and manager, of the Windham Region No Freeze Project, fearing that there would be no space due to Covid restrictions. “sure, we’ll find room” was the answer I longed to hear, and the one Mike so desperately needed. When we arrived, Mike settled into a chair, having no belongings, I noticed Mike had grabbed a discarded coffee cup from the floorboard of my car from the morning commute to keep his frozen hands occupied and to try and fit in to an unfamiliar place. Mike rested soundly that night on a bottom bunk with clean blankets and pillow, caring staff to keep a watchful eye, and the knowledge that there were people in the world that cared for him. This was home for the next few days for Mike, as the staff tried to connect him with other local resources for permanent housing and counseling. Eventually Mike moved on, perhaps to Providence by now. Someone else occupies that bunk now, but their story shares a piece with his; the love and care given by those who endeavor to make sure the at risk population of our region knows that someone loves them, and that they have a place to go at night when it is too cold to remain outside. Mikes life was saved that night, and many more are transformed as the Windham Region No Freeze provides a place to start over and begin again. I am grateful to work for a company that has supported in the past, and continues to support, this good work in the community I live in. "

~ Jamie Spalding