As temperatures climb this week, local governments and community partners across Southwest and Southside Virginia are opening cooling centers and offering other assistance.
A map of cooling centers throughout Virginia is available on the Virginia Department of Health’s website. A guide to cooling centers in some of the communities we cover is available below; we will update this list as more information becomes available.
If you know of resources that aren’t on this list, please send information to news@cardinalnews.org.
Statewide
Low-income seniors may be eligible for free fans or window air conditioners through the Senior Cool Care program. The program is open to adults aged 60 or older who live below 150% of the poverty level. A full list of requirements and participating agencies across Virginia is online.
Virginia’s Department of Social Services offers cooling assistance to eligible households. The program supports electric bills to run air conditioners or fans, repair or replacement of cooling equipment, purchase and installation of one air conditioning unit (if none is working), and security deposits for new or reconnected service. Applications are accepted through Aug. 15. You may qualify if your household has someone under age 6 or age 60-plus, or with a disability, and meets income limits. Full eligibility details are at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov/ or call VDSS at 855-635-4370.
Danville
The Redemption Center Church in Danville is opening its doors as a cooling center any day that temperatures climb above 90 degrees this summer.
The church, located at 625 Shelton St., offers an air-conditioned space, water, phone charging stations and restrooms for individuals and families.
The church is asking community partners, churches, businesses and others to “help us meet the growing needs of those we serve” by donating items listed on its Facebook page.
Other places, like public libraries in Danville and Pittsylvania and city recreation centers, may also offer refuge from the heat.
Franklin County/Rocky Mount
The Franklin County Public Library’s Rocky Mount and Westlake branches are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday “for anyone who needs a break from the heat,” according to the county’s Facebook page.
Kevin Tosh, a county spokesman, said that Rocky Mount United Methodist Church has indicated it will be available for heat breaks from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 2-6 p.m. Saturday. The church is at 35 N. Main St., Rocky Mount.
Lynchburg
Lynchburg will operate cooling centers with free bottled water across the city during business hours on Thursday, including:
- The lobby of the Department of Human Services building on Ninth Street;
- The Miller Center, at both the first floor library hub entrance and the second floor customer service desk, on Grove Street;
- The downtown branch of the Lynchburg Public Library on 12th Street.
Two additional locations will be open through Friday: the Salvation Army on Park Avenue and The Refuge on Memorial Avenue. More details on the cooling centers can be found on the city’s website.
Martinsville
The Martinsville-Henry County Family YMCA is opening its doors as a community cooling center this week during business hours. The YMCA is located at 3 Starling Ave. and will offer bottled water, indoor seating and an air-conditioned space for community members to cool off for up to 90 minutes.
Roanoke
The following locations will offer cooling centers and free, cool water this holiday weekend, while Roanoke Public Libraries are closed. Roanoke City Police patrol officers will also have bottled water available for those in need.
Friday:
- Cooling centers:
- The Hope Center, 510 11th St. N.W., normal business hours
- The Rescue Mission, 402 Fourth St. S.E., normal business hours
- Market on Melrose, 2502 Melrose Ave. N.W., Suite A, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Free water available:
- Third Street Station, 325 Salem Ave. S.W., normal business hours
- Freedom Festival, River’s Edge Park on Reserve Avenue, 4-10 p.m.
- Roanoke Police officers on patrol
Saturday:
- Cooling centers:
- The Rescue Mission, 402 Fourth St. S.E., normal business hours
- Market on Melrose, 2502 Melrose Ave. N.W., Suite A, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Free water available:
- The Hope Center, 510 11th St. N.W., normal business hours
- Roanoke Police officers on patrol
Sunday:
- Cooling center:
- The Rescue Mission, 402 Fourth St. S.E., normal business hours
- Free water available:
- The Hope Center, 510 11th St. N.W., normal business hours
- Roanoke Police officers on patrol
Southwest
In the far Southwest, public libraries function as cooling centers. Note they will be closed Friday and Saturday for the federal holiday.
- J. Fred Matthews Memorial Library: 16552 Wise St., Saint Paul
- Coeburn Community Library: 111 Third St. N.W., Coeburn
- Russell County Public Library, Lebanon: 248 W. Main St., Lebanon
- Russell County Public Library, Honaker Community Library: 10 Library Drive, Honaker
- Washington County Public Library, Glade Spring: 2562 Mendota Road, Mendota
- Wise County Public Library: 124 Library Road S.W., Wise
- Jonnie B. Deel Memorial Library: 198 Chase St., Clintwood
- Haysi Community Library: 157 Oquinn St., Haysi
- Washington County Public Library, Hayters Gap: 7720 Hayters Gap Road, Abingdon
- Bristol Public Library: 701 Goode St., Bristol
- Washington County Public Library, Abingdon: 205 Oak Hill St. N.E., Abingdon
- Scott County Public Library: 297 W. Jackson St., Gate City
