Weather guessers have been panting for the thermometers to hit the 100-degree mark. That number was achieved over the weekend, but that has only heightened the problem for many within the community — the vulnerable. Who are these vulnerable types? They are the poor, the elderly, the sickly and people whom you will probably never know.
One woman recently told how, to save money, she keeps her thermometer above the 85-degree mark in her home and has a floor fan moving at a high rate. When she moves to her bedroom at night, she takes the fan with her because she can’t afford a second fan. On a very tight budget, she puts up with the toasty conditions, so she can afford other things like food and medicine.
Not everyone has the luxury of even one floor fan, an A/C or a healthy enough constitution to put up with such conditions. In fact, North Texas summer heat is a life-endangering situation.
According to Dallas County Health & Human Services Director Zachary Thompson, “When citizens don’t have air conditioning in their homes, they are left in a potentially life-threatening situation.”
That’s where the Emergency Heat Relief Fund comes in. Launched in 2006 by The Dallas Foundation, it was created to provide air conditioning units for the “vulnerable.”
In 2011 The Meadows Foundation and other funding groups partnered up with The Dallas Foundation to “encourage additional community investments.”
According to TDF President/CEO Mary Jalonick, “Extreme summer heat is here and, unfortunately, many around the city don’t have the means to keep their families cool and safe. By contributing to this fund, Dallasites are tangibly helping their neighbors in need of help right now.”
Over the years nearly $200,000 has been provided for the Dallas County Health & Human Services to “install over 1,100 air-conditioning units.”
But before dismissing this one off as checked off, realize that the summer is only halfway over and the heat is really starting to settle in. Unfortunately, “high demand has depleted the current inventory, and DCHHS needs funding to buy more air-conditioning units for the hot summer days ahead.”
So, why not skip an icy Caramel Ribbon Crunch Frappuccino Macchiato for a week and make a donation. You could be contributing to a lifesaving event.