A few local organizations often call us to request emergency short-term lodging for people in need of a safe and no-cost place to spend a night or two. During this past winter, there were times we needed to clean-up several rooms within a few hours so another set of people could be sheltered for the night. 

We have come to appreciate the magic of church member tag teams who communicate with each other via mobile phone texts to see that rooms are turned quickly. An initial message goes out saying that a room has been vacated and another set of guests are due that evening. One person offers to strip the bedding and towels and begin the laundry process while passing through Hailey soon. A second person will commit to cleaning the bathroom, mini-fridge, microwave, and floors and disposing trash at 2 pm when they have a short break. A third volunteer texts that they have moved the first laundry load to the dryer and started the second load on their way to an appointment. Someone else says they’ll stop on their way home from work and put clean sheets on the two beds and fresh towels and rugs in the bathroom. By 6 pm, the room is ready for new occupants, which sometimes include young children and pets. 

Some volunteers come by several times a day to keep the process moving forward, and it’s always such an exciting development when two can work on cleaning a room together as things go so much faster. We let each other know when we’re running low on laundry detergent or room cleaning supplies and toilet paper or need to fix the vacuum cleaner or replace a mop. And then someone has to follow-up on each of these tasks. 

There have been times when all three guest quarters needed to be cleaned on the same day. Somehow, with the help of mobile phone communications and committed church members, the tag teams have figured out how to get everything done with each person pitching in when they can. Most of our emergency guests will never know how many hands and text messages were involved in preparing a clean place for them to spend a night or two. But the tag team members sleep better at night knowing we have made it possible for some people to sleep in a clean and safe place for the night. With some guests, we are blessed with the chance to engage further and build ongoing relationships.