With the impending heat wave set to send temperatures close to 40°C, cooling centres are opening in Oliver and Osoyoos with particular concern for the elderly, those with pre-existing medical conditions and the estimated 235 people living out of doors locally.
The warming centre in Oliver opened ahead of the coming cold snap, with its first day of operation on Wednesday, Jan. 10. The warming centre is run by the Oliver Missions Society and is hosted by the Seventh Day Adventist Church located at 748 Similkameen Ave. in Oliver.
There is no other way to put it: Volunteers are what keep the community of Oliver alive. That was evident during the Spirit of Oliver Awards ceremony at the community centre August. 19.