By Gia Vang

EUGENE, Ore. -- Wednesday marks one year when a homeless man laid down to sleep during freezing temperatures and never woke up.

Thomas Egan's body was found frozen to death in west Eugene, but this death spawned the movement for what's known as the Egan Warming Centers.

Center organizers said the one warming site they offered last year has now evolved into several. A number of faith communities from the Eugene, Springfield and Cottage Grove areas are opening their doors to the homeless when temperatures dip below freezing.

They say there's more people waiting to help. During a recent nine-day cold snap, the centers helped more than 200 homeless stay warm.

"They wanted to make sure that people got the respect that they deserve as human beings and so they are stepping up and helping out with that," said Charley Harvey from St. Vincent de Paul.

The 60-year-old homeless military veteran was found lifeless and covered in snow where a cross still bears his name.

Organizers say the public is invited to attend a memorial service for Thomas Egan on Friday at 11 a.m. at West 1st and Blair in Eugene.