Free Electric Fans Tomorrow for Seniors, Disabled

Fan Fair giveaway event held on July 16

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, community organizations, and residents, hundreds of electric fans have been collected to provide heat relief for seniors and people with disabilities.  A “Fan Fair” giveaway event is scheduled for Saturday, July 16 from 9 a.m. – 12 p. m. at the United Steelworkers Local 1693 headquarters, 1233 S 10th St.

Fans will be available for seniors 60 and older, as well as for individuals with physical disabilities, on a first-come, first-served basis.  Fan Fair qualifications and guidelines:

• Person 60 years or older
• OR documentation verified by a physician of a physical disability
• Resident of Jefferson, Oldham, Henry, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble or Bullitt counties
• Proof of address and age
• One fan per household

A Health Fair will coincide with the fan giveaway event to provide basic health checks and information from local resources. Participating vendors include AARP, Kentuckiana Regional Planning & Development Agency (KIPDA), Stroke Association of Kentucky & Southern Indiana, Sickle Cell Association of Kentuckiana, U of L School of Dentistry, the Local Long Term Care Ombudsman, and Louisville Metro Community Services.  Louisville Pure Tap water will also be provided.

Fan Fair is sponsored by KIPDA Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living and Louisville Metro Office for Aging & Disabled Citizens (OADC).  These organizations joined forces a few weeks ago to implement a fan drive when it became apparent there was a need in the community because of the many calls they were receiving.

The fan drive ended July 8 with more than 250 fans being donated, and more than $2,200 in monetary donations received to purchase additional fans.  Some of the many donors include:

• AARP
• Diversicare -Highlands Healthcare and Rehabilitation
• Electrician’s Union #396
• Fastsigns Inc.
• Louisville Elks Lodge #8
• Home Depot
• Lowes
• Park Community Federal Credit Union
• 310 Tempering
• United Steelworkers Local 1693
• WLKY
• Numerous Individual Donors
• Local churches

WLKY served as the media partner providing both on-air and on-line advertising to promote the fan collection and serving as one of the donation drop-off sites.  The United Steelworkers Union provided multiple levels of support including collecting fan donations, offering their headquarters for the event venue and recruiting staff and volunteers to help with the fan distribution.

“We are so very grateful for the incredible outpouring of support we’ve received from the Louisville community”, stated Sarah Teeters, Coordinator for OADC, part of Louisville Metro Community Services. “This level of need and interest will hopefully keep this program going every summer.”

“Providing these fans is an immediate step we can take to provide relief to vulnerable members of our community, I am elated that a conversation between two individuals – from two different agencies — turned into such a wonderful response from the community,” stated Jennifer Craig, Aging and Disability Resource Specialist for KIPDA.