Salvation Army Hosts Box Fan Giveaway, OG&E Donates 200 Fans

On June 24, The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command will distribute box fans to qualified citizens who need relief from the heat.

By providing box fans, The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma Area Command hopes to prevent the heat-related deaths that Oklahoma experienced in past years. Many elderly and ill citizens die during the summer months due to extreme heat.

"Heat poses a very real danger to our elderly clients and those with medical issues," said Ashley Jones, director of Social Services for the Central Oklahoma Area Command. "These box fans literally can mean the difference between staying cool and dying from the heat."

The Salvation Army provides box fans to qualified senior citizens age 62 and older, families with infants under six months of age and the disabled with chronic illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, asthma, emphysema and people taking psychotropic and other medications.

On Tuesday, OG&E will donate 200 box fans to help with the box fan giveaway.

"We are especially grateful to OG&E for their loyal support and generous donations of fans," said Jones. "Without OG&E's help every year, we would be hard-pressed to be able to supply as many fans as we do for those in need."

Box fans will be distributed at The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma's Social Services office, 520 South Hudson, Oklahoma City, OK 73109.

The hours of operation are Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday, 9 a.m. to noon for adult clients that receive disability benefits and/or seniors 62 years of age and older. Referrals and emergency requests are accepted on Friday afternoons.

Applicants are required to bring the following documentation to the appointment:

• Picture ID - (Driver's License, State Issued ID, Governmental/Military ID, or Passport or ID from Country of Origin) for ALL adult household members.
• Proof of Residency - current gas, electric, water or lease agreement/mortgage payment.
• Applicants must reside in Oklahoma County.

Clients who received fans last year are not eligible for fans this year.