Cedar Rapids Salvation Army seeking donations for fans

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Salvation Army is raising money to buy fans for Cedar Rapids residents needing relief from summer heat.

Lia Pontarelli, director of development and communications for the Cedar Rapids' Salvation Army, said the organization raised money for fans for years.

The fans - usually 100 each summer - are given to low-income residents living within 185 percent of the federal poverty guideline.

'Over the years, we've always had people coming to us looking for fans,” Pontarelli said. 'Either it's too expensive to run the air-conditioning, or they don't have units.

'It can get so warm in this community, and without having any form of cooling it can be a danger,” she said.

The Salvation Army has raised about one-fourth of its goal of $2,000 and is hoping to complete the fund drive by the end of June, Pontarelli said.

The Salvation Army will use buy box fans, which are more versatile and useful in cooling.

And Pontarelli said they've already had several requests for fans.

'The warm weather is already upon us,” Pontarelli said. 'Some (people) will find a cooler place to spend the days or look at finding ways where they can make a cut. Some people maybe will not pay a bill this month and buy a fan. We don't people to fall behind.”

Those needing a fan can call The Salvation Army at (319) 364-9131 at the beginning of June, Pontarelli said. In past years, those who previously received a fan cannot receive another the following summer.

Pontarelli said Salvation Army staffers have not yet decided on this year's stipulations.

Those wishing to donate to the fan program can mail a check to the organization with the word 'fans” in the memo line, or donate online at tsacedarrapids.org.

l Comments: (319) 368-8516; makayla.tendall@thegazette.com