For any and everyone who headed out of town to get away from the typical North Texas summer heat, surprise! Today’s high was a cool 75 degrees thanks to a rare summer cold front. While the high temperatures for the rest of the week will stay in the 80s, thing will change back to the usual summertime 90s and above the day after Father’s Day.
Meantime, the fair weather guessers are hinting that the rest of the summer is likely to be toastier than usual. That’s a nice way of saying this summer may break all records in the heat department.
According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, “at least 334 people in Texas died from heat in 2023, and tens of thousands of Dallas seniors live on a a fixed income of just $1,000 or less, making large, expensive home purchases impossible for their budgets.”
Planning ahead to tackle the hottest issue, The Senior Source is ramping up its help for older adults looking to survive the scorching times with its “Beat The Heat” program. In addition to aiming to provide 600 window air-conditioning units, they’ve added 200 box fans to their wish list. Box fans are low energy and, like dynamic hand fans, can truly make a difference in a home.
Already on board to get the air blowing is TXU Energy, with a cool $25,000 donation, and there have been “contributions from several other corporate partners including United Texas Bank and Wellcare.”
Joining the effort for the first time is The Tyler Street Foundation, which is providing a whopping $50,000 to support three Senior Expos where the units and fans will be distributed.
According to The Tyler Street Foundation President Vivian Skinner, “It is hard to imagine facing the heat of a sweltering Dallas summer with no access to air conditioning. The Tyler Street Foundation is honored to partner with The Senior Source in support of Beat The Heat. It is such an important project and has such a direct impact on seniors.”
But before the distribution can even take place, The Senior Sourcers need “to raise an additional $75,000 from individual donors” to cover the remaining costs.
As The Senior Source President/CEO Stacey Malcolmson explained, “Our body’s ability to respond to heat decreases with age. In Dallas, over the past decade we have averaged more than 100 days of over 90 degrees during the summer. For a senior who does not have a way to effectively cool their home, these temperatures represent a serious risk. We must look out for our neighbors, especially ones who are older and more susceptible to being impacted by extreme heat.”
There are two ways that folks can be a part of the life-saving Beat The Heat program. First, donate money here. They’re off to a good start with $17,335 already raised as of today. That means they still need $57,645. With Father’s Day coming up, why not make a donation in your father’s and/ or grandfather’s name? Second, sign up here to volunteer with the distribution on the following dates:
- Saturday, June 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Community Missionary Baptist Church (115 W. Belt Line Road, DeSoto 75115)
- Saturday, July 12, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Irving Cares (440 S. Nursery Road, Suite 101, Irving 75060)
- Wednesday, July 28, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Tyler Street Church (927 W. 10th Street, Dallas 75208)
If you know someone who might benefit from receiving a unit or box fan, they need to register here. To be eligible, the person “must live in Dallas County, be at least 60 years old, lack access to reliable sources of air conditioning in their home and agree to attend the Beat The Heat Senior Expo at their pick-up location.”
* Graphic/photo courtesy of The Senior Source
Leave a Reply