Pocono News Section

Homeless Shelter Needs Help

Homeless Shelter Needs Help - Friday, September 19, 2008 at 5:17PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Friday, Sep 19, 2008 @ 05:17pm EST
CARBONDALE, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- A longtime Lackawanna County homeless shelter needs your help. If enough donations aren't collected, it won't be able to turn it's heat on.

Schaeffer's Retreat in Carbondale is asking for help. Owner Bonnie Schaeffer says, "We need the heat back on to open back up and I'm hoping with the public's help we can get that within I'd like to be open within a week if I can."

Schaeffer's problem is in her basement. Her furnace blew out Thursday night. Now, Bonnie and her husband James need about three thousand dollars for a new furnace. "My husband came downstairs to go to the furnace and shut it off. It's not function able," she said.

A few homeless people staying at the shelter had to be moved out Thursday night. The Schaeffer's afraid they'll have to close if they can't buy one.

For 18 years, they're house has been a place for people with no where else to go. The Schaeffer's give them a place to stay, cook for them, and help them find jobs.

They say it's a great feeling to help. James Schaeffer says, "Some of them now have nice families, couple have homes. I mean, have good jobs and it's a good feeling to know you helped them and they're grateful."

And now the Schaeffer's hope to get their furnace up and running, so they can help more people.

You can help Schaeffer's Retreat by contacting Bonnie Schaeffer at 282-0761.