By Casey Mosbacher, SCS Intern
As the holidays and new year approach, we welcome this time of year with cheer, generosity, and spirit. It’s a time to be with the ones close to us and to find moments of rest and relaxation. However, for our unhoused neighbors, these months are some of the most challenging.
When the winter months creep in, so does the cold, unforgiving weather. The unhoused community of the Central Beach area will be needing to equip themselves with appropriate clothing for these conditions. Items like jackets, hats, sleeping bags, blankets, etc, can be the reason someone feels safer and more comfortable. While San Diego has a mild climate, winters can be wet, and get as low in temperature as 45 degrees at night, leading to higher risk of hypothermia. Hypothermia may be heavily associated with extremely cold weather but when it is paired with wet conditions it can happen at much warmer temperatures (Mayo Clinic).
The holidays are a time for community building and giving back. Shoreline Community Services is hosting our Share the Warmth Campaign, an event that can help you make a difference for the unhoused community. During our Share the Warmth holiday giveaway, Shoreline’s staff and volunteers set up a store-like environment where The Compass Station Guests are able to pick out items that cater to their individual needs and wants. This sense of choice and agency is a valuable experience for our Guests, a feeling that we prioritize within this holiday giveaway. This is also why we ask that donated items be new (preferably) or very lightly used. We want the experience to feel special and respectful, and offering new items helps ensure that Guests walk away with something clean and durable that will actually support them through the colder months.
Practicality is the leading theme for this giveaway. Effective use of space is immensely important for our Guests, and receiving compact, multiuse, and durable items will have the strongest benefit for the unhoused individuals of the Central Beach Community. To participate in this community event, we invite you to donate winter essentials from our Amazon
Wishlist or contribute financially through our Zeffy site (both resources are linked below).
Your generosity can truly make a difference! Help us bring warmth, dignity, and hope to our neighbors this holiday season. Every item, every dollar, and every act of kindness matters. Join us in spreading comfort and compassion, and let’s ensure that everyone in our community feels seen, cared for, and supported during these colder months. Together, we can make this season brighter for those who need it most.
References
Hypothermia. (2025, July 31). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21164-hypothermia-low-body-temperature
Hypothermia – Symptoms and causes. (n.d.). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypothermia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352682#:~:text=Direct%20contact.,caught%20out%20in%20the%20rain