As John Weicker finishes his final two months of school, he’s counting down the days with a small ticker in his office.On Thursday, the counter read 44 days, plus a few hours, minutes and seconds.Despite the heat wave, the Salvation Army’s Cool Breeze program still has fans.
Cool Breeze was started about 10 years ago. People who get a doctor’s note saying they have a medical condition that can be aggravated by heat can obtain a free box fan.
“We’ve gotten lots of calls, but I’m not sure we’ve given away all we have,” said Maj. Harold Poff of the local Salvation Army, which runs the program out of its downtown building at 2901 N. Clinton St.
Electric fans are generally inexpensive, but, Poff said, “People with medical conditions may not have $10 or the means to get to a store.”
The program doesn’t need much promotion, because people who need it generally find out about it.
But people who might not know about the program are the ones who can help keep it going: by donating fans, functioning window air conditioners or cash, Poff said.
People can donate fans or window air conditioners or make a tax-deductible cash donation to Cool Breeze at 2901 N. Clinton St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays. The building can also be reached from Eastbrook Drive.
Donations of fans can also be dropped off at any Walgreens.
