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A fan drive is getting underway this week to help families and individuals stay cool this summer. Oxford Healthcare is organizing the drive and is seeking cash donations as well as donations of new fans. KSMU’s Missy Shelton reports.
For many people, that’s a cool sound. Portable fans can keep people cool while keeping utility bills down. That’s why Oxford Healthcare is asking the community to help provide those in need with portable fans this summer.Sheila Boutwell says, “There’s so many coat drives in the winter to keep people warm, we need to have a fan drive to keep people cool in the summer.”Sheila Boutwell is Community Education and Outreach Director for Oxford Healthcare.She says, “What we’re asking is the community to join with us by donating new fans or contribute to the fan fund. Then we will distribute the fans.”Boutwell explains how the idea for the fan drive came about.She says, “This all began because some of our own patients have not used their air throughout this whole heart wave. We were getting requests from people asking where they can cool off. The senior centers are seeing people just there to cool off.”The fans are not just for older adults. Boutwell says there’s been a request for a fan from the family of a young girl who has a medical condition that gets worse when she gets hot. Boutwell says there are no eligibility guidelines for receiving a fan—anyone can make a request.She says, “This week, we’ve gotten a little break in the weather but last week, it was horrible. And that’s only in June. Can you imagine what July and August will be like? So, we’re going to run this fan drive though July 17th. As soon as we get fans in, they’re going right back to the community. We’re not waiting until the end. We’re distributing them as soon as we get them.”To request a fan or to get more information about the program call 883-7500 or 1-800-749-6555. You can make cash or fan donations at the Oxford Healthcare offices, located at National and Primrose in Springfield.There’s another fan drive going on….A group of graduate students from Drury University is collecting fans and donations for residents of the Missouri Hotel. Information on this fan drive is available by calling 417-569-3712. The fans will be delivered this Friday.
