United Way Day of Caring 2025: Spotlight on WATTS
Today, as part of United Way Day of Caring 2025, Mover Dudes had the honor of partnering once again with WATTS, one our local nonprofits, to contribute furniture donations and hands-on support where it matters most. Our mission to alleviate homelessness entails: collecting and storing quality furniture to serve Family Promise of Winchester, Valley Haven Furniture Bank, SPCA Thrift, special requests, and in this instance, WATTS — the Winchester Area Temporary Transitional Shelter.
What is WATTS?
WATTS is a vital nonprofit in Winchester, Virginia. This non profit provides safe, temporary shelter during extreme winter weather, supporting people experiencing homelessness when cold conditions threaten lives. Beyond overnight shelter, WATTS connects guests with resources like job‐search help, obtaining identification, and other social services that help break the cycle of homelessness.
During the winter months, congregations across the region host the overnight shelter on a rotational basis. This year WATTS will begin on November 2nd at Montague Avenue United Methodist, rotating weekly through the winter months.
Our Mission Today
This morning, under United Way Day of Caring, we helped move two individuals into a transitional living group home through WATTS. We provided donated furniture — beds, dressers, chairs, whatever was needed — so they could step into a furnished, and complete space. Jon Eye, owner of Mover Dudes, recorded a tour of the home.
Winter Effort With WATTS
Each winter, we join WATTS in what has become a critical seasonal tradition: transporting cots and other resources to local churches hosting the WATTS shelter. These beds are set up nightly so residents have a safe, elevated place to sleep off the ground, especially when temperatures drop. The logistical and volunteer effort isn’t small — but Mover Dudes and the hosting congregation makes it happen. Mover Dudes has been providing the transportation since 2016, making this 2025 season our 9th year.
Why This Matters + Our Goal
Homeless people in winter face life-threatening risks. Extreme cold, lack of shelter, and exposure to the elements exacerbate health issues. Supporting WATTS, furniture banks, and family shelters is our way of helping meet those urgent needs. We believe being a nonprofit in Winchester isn’t just a label — it involves consistent action, compassion, and community partnership.
Our Other Service Efforts
While WATTS is where we focus today, our work with Family Promise of Winchester and Valley Haven Furniture Bank remains core to mission to alleviate homelessness.
Family Promise helps families with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. They offer shelter, meals, case management, and work to prevent homelessness and stabilize lives.
Valley Haven Furniture Bank is a referral-only service that furnishes homes for clients of many Northern Shenandoah Valley nonprofits. When someone transitions from shelter or crisis, having proper furniture helps turn a house into a home.
