The Code Blue effort is well-established in Cumberland County, but is just getting off the ground in Salem County.
SALEM -- Leaders of Code Blue efforts in Cumberland and Salem counties say they have "been blessed" by the extraordinary stretch of warm weather that has given them extra time to prepare to house the homeless when frigid temperatures finally set in.
With temperatures forecast to be in the 20s this weekend, Code Blue could be activated and shelters opened for the first time this season.
"One of the things I often remind people is that winter has just begun," said Pastor Rob Weinstein of Bethany Grace Community Church in Bridgeton and one of the Code Blue leaders in Cumberland County. When he spoke recently, it was on one of the days when the temperature had soared into the 60s.
"It's warm now and we will take the warm weather. It's a blessing in disguise for all of us who work on the frontlines."
Code Blue is activated when temperatures are predicted to be 25 degrees for at least two hours overnight with no precipitation or 32 degrees or below with precipitation for at least two consecutive overnight hours.
This will mark the third winter that Cumberland County's Code Blue program has been in effect. In neighboring Salem County, the Code Blue program there is just getting off the ground.
The program in Cumberland County was begun after a homeless man, Joseph L. Hanshaw, was found dead inside a Salvation Army clothing bin in Bridgeton where he had sought warmth on a cold December night in 2013.
With Code Blue is declared, churches take turns opening up temporary shelters for the homeless.
"We've been blessed," said Ray Bolden, a leader in the Salem County Code Blue Coalition, of the unseasonable weather.
"This has given us a little bit more time to do planning and that's important because it's our first year," Bolden said. "It has allowed us time to be ready when the first cold comes."
In Cumberland County, centers for shelter are now available in Bridgeton, Vineland and Millville.
The centers are mostly in churches and donations and dedicated volunteers help to make the program work, Weinstein says. Those served find shelter from the cold, food and clothing and other essentials that will help them deal with the elements once they leave.
By this time last year, Code Blue had been activated in Cumberland County several times in both late November and in December. But the bulk of the days when shelters were opened came in January, February and even some days in March, Weinstein said.
"It's a bittersweet blessing we have warm weather," Weinstein said in a recent interview.
"We can conserve our resources to concentrate them more effectively during the coldest of the winter months. We don't want to burn out our volunteers during the early part of the season."
Although conditions haven't warranted the opening of overnight shelters, volunteer organizations have already been aiding the homeless.
"While Code Blue is not activated, we still have countless men and women on the streets that have no shelter," Weinstein says.
At Bethany Grace Community Church on North Pearl Street in Bridgeton showers are offered to the homeless.
Earlier in the month a large number of coats were given out to the needy in Bridgeton by Code Blue volunteers and "care kits" containing items that can offer a little comfort to someone living on the streets were distributed.
"While it may not reach Code Blue conditions, we can all agree that it does get cold at night," Weinstein said. "It might not be life-threatening, but it is not a pleasant condition."
While Cumberland County's Code Blue program continues to grow, Salem County's program volunteers are preparing for their first test of aiding the homeless.
Along with Bolden, Bishop Dawn R. Brown, founder of Cathedral of Holiness Missionary Baptist Church, is leading Salem County's efforts.
So far, the John B. Campbell Center on Walnut Street in Salem City has been designated as a shelter for Code Blue, but more sites are needed around the county, Bolden said last week.
Approximately 20 volunteers have been gone through background checks -- a requirement for those involved with Code Blue.
"We always need more volunteers," Bolden says.
Bolden says that the local effort has received "very generous" cash donations. More money is needed, though, as are other supplies such as cots and blankets and clothing.
The Salem County group has also established a Facebook page -- Code Blue in Salem County -- that includes updates about its activities and information on becoming a volunteer.
Cash donations for the program can be sent to Code Blue in Salem County, c/o Inter Agency Council, 98 Market St., Salem, NJ 08079.
Donations of cots, blankets and clothing can be made by calling Cathedral of Holiness Missionary Baptist Church at 856-678-6144.
The Salem County Code Blue Coalition's next meeting is Tuesday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m. at 193 N. Broadway in Pennsville.
Cumberland's Code Blue program, while well organized, still is in need of volunteers and donations, Weinstein says.
The best way to help and learn more about Cumberland County's program is to visit codeblueccnj.org.
The M25 Initiative has also been established to form a trust fund to aid Code Blue efforts.
Code Blue is "not so much about comfort, not so much about food," Weinstein said. "It's primarily a life-saving mission."
Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow South Jersey Times on Twitter @TheSJTimes. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
