‘Cool Deal Fan Club’ provides heat relief

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‘Cool Deal Fan Club’ provides heat relief

Posted Monday, June 29, 2009

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The heat wave Brazoria County has been experiencing is having a serious impact on vulnerable segments of the community - the elderly, newborn babies and individuals with respiratory illnesses.

In response to numerous calls from individuals who do not have the resources to cool their homes, United Way of Brazoria County and ActionS are working together to seek ways to provide much needed relief from the heat.

Stephanie Cone, United Way executive director, said she and Murphy Rankin, ActionS' executive director, visited together about the need both their organizations were seeing in the community. Cone said she contacted other United Way partner agencies and learned some of them were also receiving inquiries from clients.

"For the past two years, both United Way and ActionS worked with former Justice of the Peace Jack Brown to help coordinate his Cool Deal program where people could donate a fan or an air conditioning unit instead of paying a traffic fine," explained Cone. "Although the program is no longer in place since Jack retired, Murphy and I kept referring to our work as the Cool Deal".

Cone said during a visit with Trish Ritthaler, community relations manager for Dow Chemical Company, she told Ritthaler that United Way and ActionS were trying to find a way to continue Brown's previous work.

"Dow immediately began coordinating an effort where interested employees could donate fans, air conditioners or funds toward the project. They named their drive the Cool Deal Fan Club as a tribute to Jack's great work," explained Cone. "We liked it so much it has now become the official name of the program."

Other workplaces have also begun Cool Deal Fan Club campaigns. SI group kicked off their drive on Wednesday.

Rankin said, "A donation to the Cool Deal Fan Club can help recipients stay more comfortable and healthy in their homes. In past summers, the Cool Deal program coordinated by Jack assisted about 150 households per year. We hope workplaces, civic groups and individuals will lend their support so we can keep this important program available."

Members of the community can support the Cool Deal Fan Club by purchasing a fan or air conditioner and donating it to the program. The items can be delivered to ActionS at 1524 E. Mulberry (Hwy.35), Suite 135, Angleton, from 7:30 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information about the Cool Deal Fan Club contact ActionS at 979-849-6132 or United Way of Brazoria County at (800) 971-6677.