Summer is truly upon North Texas with sweltering temperatures and humidity to boot. Even swimming pools seem too hot to take a dip. It’s hard to imagine how the pioneers ever suffered through a North Texas summer without air-conditioning or even electric fans. No wonder women were swooning!
Unfortunately, too many of the elderly are having to face the broiling conditions without any type of cooling. When you’re on a tight budget that only provides for the bare necessities like food, housing and medication, a window unit is a luxury.
But to help Dallas-area older folks in need, The Senior Source has undertaken the “Beat The Heat” fundraiser. If they are able to meet their goal of $25,000, they’ll be able to provide 100 units. Donations are being accepted now and the hope is to get things going for the first distribution in mid-June.
According to The Senior Source CEO Stacey Malcolmson, “Things are worse for older adults this year. With the COVID-19 pandemic, many older adults are still staying home and for those without AC, it is unbearable. Without the ability to visit senior centers or libraries to seek refuge from the heat, having AC in their own homes is critical. This year we are offering contactless drive up service for older adults to safely pick up AC units from our agency.”
BTW, check on your elderly relatives, friends and neighbors to see if they’re in need of help with their air conditioning. The National Institutes of Health reports that “seniors are at significant increased risk of heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke and heat exhaustion.”
* Photo courtesy of The Senior Source
Christopher McNeil says
I have a elderly friend that is truly in need of an air conditioning unit. What do I have to do to get one of these units? – Chris McNeil (817) 312-0003 or email me @ [email protected]