Milledgeville’s The Fun!Factory Opens Doors to People Seeking Warmth

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – For Patti Rushin, co-owner of The Fun!Factory in Milledgeville, the decision to use the business as an overnight shelter was a no-brainer.

“You just can’t describe the feeling that you feel when you decide to do this,” Rushin says.  “And once that decision is made, it’s just a great feeling.”

Throughout the afternoon Wednesday and into the night, more than 30 people made their way into this kids’ paradise.  Some were seeking temporary shelter, and some just needed something to do, like Jane Brantley, her husband and two kids.

“It’s been raining,” Brantley says.  “We didn’t have nothing to do–very bored, so they wanted to come out and play and have a good time.”

The kids weren’t the only ones thankful for time spent at The Fun!Factory.  Rushin says those who’d stopped by earlier and had since left after getting power back were extremely grateful.

“They had a good time,” she says. “They came in and had pizza and wings and something to drink and relaxed. We were glad to be a safe haven.”

Brantley didn’t know yet whether she’d lost power at her house, but she called the business’ move to open its doors to the community a blessing.

“There’s a lot of people that don’t have power and are cold, and for them to be able to come somewhere and have warmth–that’s a lot,” she says.  “Instead of being without power and cold all at the same time.”

The business will remain open overnight into Thursday, but Milledgeville Police are urging people to stay at home unless absolutely necessary.  Officials are doing the best they can to get people there who really need power—like people on breathing and dialysis machines.

If you lose power and need assistance getting to the shelter, Rushin says you can contact Colin Duke with the Baldwin County EMA for assistance. His number is (478) 251-5418.  If you need immediate assistance, call 911.