About Town walked into one of the many meeting rooms on the 2nd floor of the Community Center, which are currently serving as living quarters for about 100 people sheltering from the nor’easter, and others coming and going seeking power for their electronics. 

Scanning the room, About Town noted the cots that were neatly appointed with foam mattresses, pillows and some with well-loved stuffed animals. There were three empty cots on the side awaiting a plan.   

“That’s where we’re putting the single men!” came an unexpectedly cheery voice from behind me. Sue Engel and her posse of single moms, Marcie Strichartz and Angela Boyer and their children have set the stage and the mood for this room with humor and a deep appreciation for having a safe, warm option in the storm.

Engel and her son Max, 10, spent most of Sunday searching for accommodations after the storm blew out their heat and electricity. “Everything was booked and we had no where to go when we heard a radio announcement about the shelter in Canton’s Community Center. It was about 5 p.m.”

“We pulled into the parking lot and immediately I began to feel safe, warm and secure. I slept like a baby that night, knowing the town was providing this service.”

Engel and Max had settled in when they discovered that their male roommate was not a quiet sleeper. “We were the first ones in the room. So, by now it’s midnight and the snoring began. A snoring storm after the snow storm!” They decided to move down the hall to another empty room, which they now share with Strichartz, her 11-year-old son Cole, and Boyer with her daughter Emily, age 12.

Engel credits her faith with helping her during this stressful time. I truly felt that God is in my life and I wouldn’t be here and doing well without him.”

“And,” Marcie added, “We’re having a blast!”

Humor seems to be something that ties the women together and is contributing to keeping their spirits high. “We’re interviewing potential roommates – single men who are eligible, tall, dark, handsome — and don’t snore!”

A gentleman named John has apparently passed an initial interview and was coming back with treats for the ladies. Whether or not John braves the “voting moms” again, they are nevertheless thankful for this experience.

“If there’s a message to be learned here,” says Engel, “it’s don’t stop being hopeful. Don’t be fearful. Take a leap of faith because there is always somebody with a giving heart.”

In this case, Engel and the moms say that somebody is Senior & Social Services Coordinator, Claire Cote. “She has a big generous heart and has been instrumental in heading this all up. She’s a breath of sunshine in all this snow!”

About Town caught up with the force of nature that is Cote. She was in the middle of a phone call, where she arranged a check-in with an elderly resident, at the request of her out of town relatives, “pass her to me, I’ve got her now; while directing staff and coordinating with the Canton Library on an urgent family issue in the shelter.

“This has been a collaborative effort. People in this town always step up.  They put words into action.” 

Since the shelter opened Cote, her staff and dozens of volunteers have taken care of everyone from infants to a 96-year-old resident. “We’re got everything from breast milk to insulin in our refrigerator! “ 

This collaborative village within the Village of Collinsville, has served over 300 at meal time and provided shelter for 100 people sleeping on cots. They also managed to hold a trick or treat event for the children; celebrated three birthdays and shared a 70th Anniversary with a couple; all events that will likely be recalled with, “remember when ….” 

Here’s the Deal

Town of Canton Community Center, 40 Dyer Ave, Collinsville; 860-693-5811 x165: www.townofcantonct.org.