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4's ARMY Collects Fans, Donations To Help Central Ohioans Beat The Heat

Fan Drive Thursday (Added: July 07, 2010)

4's Army will mobilize Thursday to help those in central Ohio who need to stay cool. (more)

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NBC 4

By Donna Willis
Published: July 07, 2010
Updated: July 09, 2010 - 7:50 AM

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- NBC 4 (WCMH-TV) mobilized 4’s ARMY to help Central Ohioans beat the heat Thursday.

4's ARMY collected 594 fans, six air conditions and more than $1,600 from generous donors.

LifeCare Alliance and The Breathing Association will distribute the fans to people and families who need them most beginning Friday.

"Our elderly are particularly vulnerable and people who have medical conditions are particularly vulnerable during this environmental emergency," said Marie Collart, president and CEO of The Breathing Association.

The association and LifeCare Alliance will ensure fans and air conditioners immediately are distributed to seniors and those with medical conditions.

"They're desperate. The phones are ringing off the hook. They're looking everywhere they can for help. We really hope that the community will rally to help our seniors with these fans. I just can't imagine how difficult it is for them," Collart said.

"People are sweating like crazy, The elderly, the children, the babies are suffering," said Mary Ullmark, who donated 14 fans. "If they don't have anything to cool them off with, that's pretty sad."

Raised in an orphanage, Ullmark said the fans were inexpensive enough to buy several for those who cannot afford to stay cool.

"People gave me things when I was a child because I had nothing. Now that I can do something for somebody else, I try to help," she said.

If you need a fan, call LifeCare Alliance at 614-278-3130.

Fans and cash donations still are needed. Fans can be dropped off at any Columbus fire station.

The donated fans should be new and for home use, not industrial. The program only can accept new fans because of health and safety issues.

You also can make a monetary donation to the organizations by mail or online.

Checks can be made payable to The Breathing Association.

LifeCare Alliance
ATH: Development
1699 W. Mound Street
Columbus, OH 43223
www.lifecarealliance.org

The Breathing Association
1520 Old Henderson Road
Columbus, OH 43220
www.breathingassociation.org

4's ARMY and The Breathing Association and LifeCare Alliance wanted to thank Front Room Furnishings for the use of their truck.

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