Salvation Army aiding West Tennesseans to beat the heat

JACKSON, Tenn — With summer temperatures pushing triple digits across West Tennessee, staying cool is a way of life.

But for some, beating the heat is about more than staying cool.

“With this oxygen it makes it harder. The less air you got, the less oxygen you got,” Nevisor Croom said.

Croom has trouble keeping her home cool during the summer months, a problem for someone who is in constant need of oxygen due to congestive heart failure.

“I do have air, but its not really working right now and I’ve got the air conditioner up there its not working now, so this has come to kind of disperse what little I do have,” Croom explained.

She was given a new box fan by the Salvation Army.

It is a program the non-profit said can do a lot of good.

“The people that come and sign up for this program, they don’t have AC in their homes or because of the high cost of it, they’re not able to use their AC as much as they need to,” Salvation Army Cadet, Britney Sanford said. “The box fans kind of help provide circulation in their homes to where they can get some relief from the summer heat.”

And keeping her new box fan in her living room, makes the summer months more tolerable for Ms. Croom.

“When I’m here, especially in the heat of the day, it makes all the difference in the world,” Croom said. “Just the flow of the air makes a difference.”

All the box fans handed are out brand new, so they carry warranties and can service those in need for years to come.

The Salvation Army said they will be giving out box fans through the end of August to anyone who meets their requirements of having a medical disability or are elderly.