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Everyone Welcome At Temporary Detroit Warming Center

DETROIT (WWJ) -  With temperatures hovering at or below zero in Detroit, the Mathis Center has opened as a temporary warming center for those who need a place to just get out of the cold.

William Townley, Media Coordinator for the Mathis Center — a neighborhood facility on Greenfield just north of 7 Mile Road —  established by Judge Greg Mathis, of TV's "Ask Judge Mathis" fame, said the center is open to those seeking warmth, a hot drink, some soup or chili and just "a place to hang."

"I mean, as cold as it is, someone could come to the bus stop across the street, and how long can you be outside in this weather?  Two or three minutes? So, we're welcoming those people also," Townley said.

Nortrice Banner Patty Turner
Nortrice Banner and her mother, Patty Turner, drop off donations. (credit:

"You know, you don't have to be homeless to come in and get warm," he said.

Mathis Center is located at 19300 Greenfield Road in northwest Detroit.

Center hours are 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6, and Wednesday, Jan. 7.  Overnight accommodations are not available.

The center is also accepting donations, particularly blankets, that can be given to those in need.

WWJ Newsradio 950's Mike Campbell spoke with Nortrice Banner, who, along with her mother Patty Turner, stopped by to drop off food, clothes, pillows, and blankets.

"... Because we have it to give, and it's a blessing to be able to give when you have it," Banner said. "Because we could be without, so, we're just trying to bless somebody else."

[Warming Shelters In Detroit, Highland Park, Royal Oak, And Ferndale]

AccuWeather meteorologist John Feerick says it will remain bitterly cold Tuesday night, warming up just a bit into the mid-teens on Wednesday.

Wind Chill Advisory, issued by the National Weather Service, remains in effect until 9 a.m. Wednesday for the entire Southeast Michigan area. A Winter Weather Advisory will expire at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Keep it tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest forecast during traffic and weather, every 10 minutes on the 8s. See the live, local radar now at this link.

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