'Basically you're sleeping in the cold and the wet'
SEATTLE -- To the 55 people who call Nickelsville home, escapes from the bone-chilling temperatures are few and far in between.
On Wednesday night, some Nickelsville residents were able to sleep in a church gym, but others had only their tents to turn to.
"And at night, when you're in your tent, the condensation turns to icicles. And then they melt and get on your blankets, and basically you're sleeping in the cold and the wet," said one resident named Madlyn.
"This morning it was 18 degrees," said Robert, another resident;
Some of the residents work. Some don't. Some battle addiction and City Hall for more help for the homeless. That story's been told.
But Cindy Quartarolo can't sleep without trying. She's heard about places like the tent city where pipes are frozen and tarps are pitched on beds of ice.
So the single mother of an autistic son is on a mission, even though she says she herself is one paycheck away from moving in herself.
"It's the right thing to do -- that's my answer to you and to everybody else. Please help these people," she said.
Quartarolo brings wood - it's what they need the most - and warm food. She's made the trip every day for five days now.
For Quartarolo, it's her holiday hope that her efforts make the difference, even if she has to reach deep in her pocket.
"And am I gonna continue? You bet your boots I am!" she said.
And the residents know she's made all the difference.
"If we didn't have our fire going, we'd be pretty much frozen," Madlyn said.
For more information on how you can help, click here. You can also view a list of local cold weather shelters by clicking here.
On Wednesday night, some Nickelsville residents were able to sleep in a church gym, but others had only their tents to turn to.
"And at night, when you're in your tent, the condensation turns to icicles. And then they melt and get on your blankets, and basically you're sleeping in the cold and the wet," said one resident named Madlyn.
"This morning it was 18 degrees," said Robert, another resident;
Some of the residents work. Some don't. Some battle addiction and City Hall for more help for the homeless. That story's been told.
But Cindy Quartarolo can't sleep without trying. She's heard about places like the tent city where pipes are frozen and tarps are pitched on beds of ice.
So the single mother of an autistic son is on a mission, even though she says she herself is one paycheck away from moving in herself.
"It's the right thing to do -- that's my answer to you and to everybody else. Please help these people," she said.
Quartarolo brings wood - it's what they need the most - and warm food. She's made the trip every day for five days now.
For Quartarolo, it's her holiday hope that her efforts make the difference, even if she has to reach deep in her pocket.
"And am I gonna continue? You bet your boots I am!" she said.
And the residents know she's made all the difference.
"If we didn't have our fire going, we'd be pretty much frozen," Madlyn said.
For more information on how you can help, click here. You can also view a list of local cold weather shelters by clicking here.