ST. LOUIS — On a 103-degree summer day, Rashonda Johnson and her team with the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis filled several big coolers with ice and cases of bottled water. They then loaded up their van for a much-needed mission.
"We got started just after noon and were out here for hours. It can be an all-day event," Johnson said.
She's with the organization's Urban Mobile Hydration Station. When the temperature hit triple digits Tuesday afternoon, they hit the streets in north St. Louis.
"We really do believe this is vital for people," Johnson said.
They passed out free bottles of cold water to baking bicyclists, sweat-wiping walkers, overheated homeless folks and other people trying to survive the potentially dangerous heat.
"We also help people who are out with drug addictions. Many of the homeless don't have a cool spot to go, so at least they can have a drink of water to cool them down," Johnson said.
"It's a very important and needed program in our community," the Urban League's Vice President of Public Safety James Clark said.
It's a program the Urban League has made a top priority for the past two summers.
Currently, 22 paid workers are pulling it off.
"We really do appreciate and love what the Urban League is doing for us. Twice a week, they also donate food boxes to us and help us with other resources," said Deborah Evans, who received four bottles of water Tuesday.
"They really do help us seniors who don't have cars. It's a blessing," Evans said.
"We also plan to soon pass out cold towels to people in need and definitely expand the services," Clark said.
They want to hire more workers so they can keep more people hydrated and safe during the summer.
"We concentrate on four core areas in north city, but this service is throughout St. Louis, St. Louis County and in East St. Louis. We'd love to have at least 200 workers on board," Clark said.
Those interested in working with the Mobile Hydration Team or donating cases of bottled water can call 314-337-3683.
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