Ace Hardware donates box fans for those in need

Alexandria Smith is a young mother who picked up a free box fan from the Salvation Army Friday afternoon.

She said the past few weeks, her home has been sweltering.

"We actually had a bird that was living in our room who recently passed away because it was so hot," Smith said.

She said she wasn’t ever in this situation until after she had a kid.

"It’s kind of difficult being in this situation." she said.  "Like going around to places, trying to find things that I need."

Salvation Army Social Services Director Clarice Mackey said that’s why it’s important to have these donations.

"It’s really a health issue because when the heat gets so high, they’re in danger of getting heat stroke and things that can cause physical problems as well," Mackey said.

She said they donate fans to low–income households and that they’re biggest concern are the elderly and small children.

It was all made possible by the Westlake Ace Hardware donating 240 fans to the Salvation Army.  That’s more last year’s 171 fans.  Most of them came from their recent fan drive where customers donated more than $3,000.

General Manager Jon Cerny said it shows the community is really invested in the effort.

"They’re customers who live here, who shop here," Cerny said.  "You know, they’re supporting their own community, they’re putting right back into their neighbors."

And the Salvation Army said they’re thankful for it.

Mackey said a lot of people benefit from this program and she wants people to remember not everyone has money to buy a fan when they need one.