Wanting to give back to the community, local pest control company BugsDotCom is hosting the first annual Treat the Heat Fan Drive benefitting Central Texas citizens most affected by heat. Collecting new 20’ box fans, BugsDotCom hopes to make the hottest months of the year more comfortable for citizens without means of cooling down.
“As humans, we're naturally wired to focus on ourselves. This is a great way as a group to look outward and help the community that has helped us,” Patrick Baldwin, vice president of BugsDotCom, said.
Seniors with fixed incomes may choose to turn off their A/C units to save money, putting their lives in jeopardy. According to TXU Energy, raising the thermostat one degree will save one percent on energy costs. By spot-cooling with portable fans one can raise the thermostat several degrees and keep cool in designated areas.
“People will cut off the air conditioner to save on their electric bill no matter how many times you tell them not to. Giving out free fans is a great way to combat this,” Baldwin said.
Although the program focuses on seniors with fixed incomes, fans will be given on a need basis.
“We provide one fan per household to persons who qualify by income. We are a nonprofit serving three counties with nutrition, senior centers, transportation, and case management,” Van Jones, director of client services for Meals & Wheels, said.
Fans may be dropped off at the BugsDotCom office, 6906 Woodway Drive, weekdays between the hours of 8-5 p.m. all summer. As soon as fans are donated they will be passed onto recipients.
“In extreme cases fans might help just enough to prevent a severe medical issue from overheating,” Jones said.
Please contact Lauren Krieg at 806-282-5881 or email at Lauren_Krieg@baylor.edu for more information.
BugsDotCom Launches Fan Drive
The pest control company is collecting fans to be distributed to those most affected by summer heat.