Donation helps Tulsa Weather Coalition fill demand for air conditioners

As summer heats up, air conditioners aren't just a luxury but a lifesaver. Nearly 150 Oklahomans have died from heat-related illness in the last ten years. <br><br>The Tulsa Weather Coalition tries

Tuesday, July 15th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

As summer heats up, air conditioners aren't just a luxury but a lifesaver. Nearly 150 Oklahomans have died from heat-related illness in the last ten years.

The Tulsa Weather Coalition tries to keep that statistic down, by keeping needy Tulsans cool. News on 6 anchor Scott Thompson visited a home of one of the recipients.

Volunteers delivered a blast of cool air to an elderly couple that was battling the heat without air-conditioning. Thanks to a Tulsa program designed to help needy Tulsans, they won't have to sweat out the summer. The Tulsa Weather Coalition has placed 225 air-conditioning units in Tulsa homes already this summer.

The Weather Coalition only has about a dozen air-conditioners left. And they've already been earmarked for delivery. As temperatures continue to rise, so do the applications for these units.

Until Tuesday, the Weather Coalition didn't know how they were going to meet the requests. But the Helmerich Foundation stepped up and donated $5,000 to the program.

Jim Lyall with the Community Service Council, "We're always extremely pleased when we get such a sizable donation because we know that gives us the security to take that step to purchase these units."

If you are in need of an AC or would like to donate one, call the Tulsa Weather Coalition Monday thru Friday between 10 and 2 at 834-2665. After hours the number is 836-4357.