ROCKFORD (RRM) -- With temperatures projected to remain in the 90s for the next several days, Rockford Rescue Mission is serving as one of the city’s cooling centers for the citizens who are without air conditioning or other means of staying cool.

The Mission’s air-conditioned day rooms at 715 West State Street (men) and 809 Cedar Avenue (women and children) will be open to provide relief from the heat. The 715 West State location is available 24 hours/ 7 days a week. The 809 Cedar cooling center is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week.

“We’re open to anyone who does not have a place to escape the heat,” said Rockford Rescue Mission Executive Director Sherry Pitney. “As you know, extreme heat can be just as dangerous to those living on the streets or in hot and poorly ventilated places as the cold,” she explained. “Dehydration, heat stroke and severe sunburn are just some of the problems we hope to prevent by accommodating as many people as we can in as many ways as we can.”

The Mission is asking for community support by donating items to be used or distributed, including bottled water, juices, fresh fruits, hats, visors, sweat bands and sunglasses, small hand towels and paper towels.

Pitney encourages anyone who can donate these items to bring them to the Mission at 715 West State Street, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., as they’ll be needed on an ongoing basis throughout the summer. “My hope is that by the community pulling together, no one in Rockford will be made to suffer from the heat,” Pitney said.

Additional information on the Mission’s programs and services can be found online at www.rockfordrescuemission.org.