St. Mary’s County Department of Aging & Human Services continues recruiting volunteer drivers for the Wrapping Arms ‘Round Many program, a rotating emergency shelter serving people experiencing homelessness during cold weather months in the county.
The call for volunteers comes as the 2024-2025 WARM season operates through March 27, 2025, providing nightly shelter and meals at participating churches. Drivers transport participants using county-owned vans parked in Lexington Park. Evening shifts begin with pickups at 5:30 p.m. from the Church of the Ascension in Lexington Park to the host site, while morning shifts start at 7 a.m. to return guests to the church. Slots remain available seven days a week.
“Volunteer drivers are essential to ensure WARM participants have safe transportation to and from shelter locations,” said Lori Jennings-Harris, DAHS director. “By giving just a few hours of your time, you can help provide stability and compassion to individuals in need during the coldest months of the year.”
Requirements include being at least 18 years old with a valid driver’s license. The department handles scheduling and provides vehicles, eliminating the need for personal cars.
Cynthia Brown, human services division manager for DAHS and a WARM coordinator since the program launched in October 2009, highlighted its growth. “The program has become very successful over the years, with over 50 churches currently working together to provide meals and shelter,” Brown said. “If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a difference in our community, this is your opportunity. In addition to driving, there are several other ways to support WARM, like making monetary or food donations. Please visit the website at www.warmstmarys.org to learn more.”
WARM functions as a collaborative effort among more than 50 faith congregations that rotate hosting duties, offering overnight accommodations, dinner, and breakfast. County government supports through the Department of Aging & Human Services for coordination and transportation, Public Works & Transportation for logistics, and the Sheriff’s Office for security. Additional partners include the Department of Social Services, Pyramid Walden for behavioral health services, Three Oaks Center as a key homeless services provider, and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital.
Guests gather daily at the Church of the Ascension, a central drop-off and pickup point in Lexington Park near Great Mills Road, before vans move them to the evening’s host church, often in areas like Leonardtown, Mechanicsville, or Charlotte Hall. This rotating model distributes the responsibility across the county, allowing broader community involvement while addressing gaps in year-round shelter capacity.
The program addresses seasonal needs when temperatures drop, supplementing permanent facilities like Three Oaks Center, which focuses on men and transitional housing, and other local resources. WARM typically activates during months with heightened risk of hypothermia, historically from November through March, though exact dates adjust annually based on weather and funding.
Volunteers interested in driving contact Ursula Harris at DAHS by phone at 301-475-4200, ext. 1658, or email Ursula.Harris@stmaryscountymd.gov. The department also seeks donations and site volunteers through the program website.
Since starting in 2009 as a faith-led initiative, WARM has expanded with consistent county backing, filling a niche for overnight emergency shelter not fully covered by state or federal programs. Churches handle direct hosting, including setup of cots and meal preparation, while transportation ensures reliable access regardless of location.
In St. Mary’s County, homelessness affects individuals across urban Lexington Park and rural areas, with WARM providing one of the primary cold-weather responses alongside outreach from the Homelessness Prevention Board. The driver role offers a structured way for residents to contribute without overnight commitments, using provided vans equipped for passenger transport.
The program’s structure relies on community buy-in, with churches signing up for week-long rotations and volunteers filling gaps in staffing. Past seasons have served dozens nightly, offering not just shelter but connections to case management through partners like Social Services.
For those unable to drive, options include meal preparation, monetary contributions for supplies, or assisting at host sites. The website lists current needs and signup forms.
This ongoing recruitment underscores the program’s dependence on volunteers to maintain operations through the winter, ensuring transportation links the centralized pickup to dispersed church locations countywide.
