Operation Chill-out braves heavy snow, cold to collect items for homeless

BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — Members of the First Christian Church in Blue Springs battled heavy snow, and cold temperatures to collect blankets and other items for the homeless this weekend.
The annual Operation Chill-out Freezin' for a Reason was held from Friday morning to Sunday morning.
Church members built a campsite that emulates a homeless shelter and spent the weekend outdoors in cardboard and tents collecting winter items, financial donations and blankets for the community.
The church, at 710 NW 15th street has collected more than a quarter million blankets over the years.
Organizer Rick Brasfiled says this weekends storm dramatically reduced donations this year, but the church has a collection barrel out front for the month, and is collecting monetarily on the church website and go fund me accounts.
They collect blankets, coats, warm weather gear that is given to area agencies including the Salvation Army, Micah Ministries and more.