FAN DRIVE CONCLUDES WITH GREAT RESULTS
OMAHA, Neb.—The dog days of summer are on the horizon, and The Salvation Army of Omaha and Westlake ACE Hardware are looking to help people beat the heat who might not otherwise have the means to do so.
On Tuesday, June 24, they wrapped up their 13th annual Fan Drive, which raises money to buy box fans for those who need them. The fans donated by Westlake ACE customers will get distributed to those in need via The Salvation Army Burrows center at 6101 NW Radial Hwy. in Midtown.
"We've gone for three weeks,” said Sean Grant, the general manager of the Westlake ACE Hardware store at 84th and West Center Road. “We've raised over $3,700, and 207 fans are going out."
Salvation Army Major Dan Sawka said if metro-area individuals do not have air conditioning at home and need a fan, they can visit the Burrows Center and take advantage of the fan-distribution program there.
"When we have our neighbors living in different places—whether it be their apartment or their homes—that don't have air conditioning, we want to make sure that we can just cut through some of that oppressive summer heat,” Sawka said. “Last week, we had around 100-degree weather a couple different times, and that's pretty early."
Sawka added that the Burrows Center has already given away 150 box fans so far this season.
"We know that we have some more weather to come, and so we want to make sure that people can just enjoy where they are," he said.
Sawka said it has been a “beautiful” 13-year partnership with Westlake ACE Hardware – one that takes place not just in Omaha, but around the nation, too.
“Over 70,000 fans have been donated to The Salvation Army and given to our neighbors over the years," he said.
"It's an opportunity for neighbors to help neighbors, to do something within your community, to help somebody out that maybe doesn't have the resources that you have,” Grant said. “Maybe they don't have air conditioning. Maybe they need that extra fan for health concerns. Just a great way to help your neighbor and take care of those who live around you."
"A big 'thank you' goes out to all the customers that came in and rounded up their totals to get those 207 fans," Grant said.
“It kind of speaks to what The Salvation Army is there for,” Sawka said. “We meet the need when the need is presented."