FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Project Cool will launch the free box fan campaign on Friday, June 7th, 2024 at 10:00 am at Guadalupe Community Center. As part of a coalition with the City of San Antonio Human Services Department, the San Antonio Fire Department, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Catholic Charities is participating in Project Cool, a program to provide free box fans to senior citizens over 60 and disabled individuals to prevent heat-related illness and deaths during the hot summer months in San Antonio. The goal of the program is to provide fans as a low-cost, low-energy means to keep seniors cool without incurring high utility bills. Henry Ramos from KENS5 will emcee the kick off. H-E-B will also have partners distributing fans to seniors.
Celebrating its 28th season, Project Cool is still going strong with organizations hosting fan drives and volunteers distributing fans to seniors. The program reduces costs for seniors on a fixed income but also enables seniors to remain independent and to maintain quality of life. The average fan costs $27 which many seniors may not be able to afford.
Catholic Charities’ President/CEO, J. Antonio Fernandez, said “every year our city comes together to ensure that our seniors have resources they need to age with dignity in the comfort and safety of their homes. Our community leaders, volunteers, and citizens joining together to provide love and respect to others is such a blessing. I am so proud of the impact of this program on seniors during the hot summer months.”
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County CEO and President Chris Martin said, “The extreme heat continues to be a major barrier to health and safety for residents, evidenced by the fact that our 2-1-1 call center received three times as many requests for box fans last year. Project Cool doesn’t just provide residents relief from the heat but also peace of mind that they will have a safe space in their home when they need it.”
Anyone interested in receiving a free boxed fan should call the United Way 2-1-1 Help Line and dial “1” to find a convenient site for pick up. Leaders from the City of San Antonio Department of Human Services, United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the San Antonio Fire Department, and Catholic Charities will be speaking and distributing fans. Sponsors and volunteers with H-E-B will be donating and distributing fans as well.
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About Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.: The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide for the needs of our community through selfless service under the sign of love. Catholic Charities, certified by the Council on Accreditation in 2021, serves all people, regardless of race, religion, or national origin, from birth to natural death, through a network of comprehensive programs that include basic needs, family and children’s services, legal services, refugee resettlement, counseling, pregnant and parenting education, and senior services with the goal of providing basic needs, strengthening the vulnerable, nurturing families, and promoting self-sufficiency. For more information, visit www.ccaosa.org or call (210) 222-1294.
San Antonio: America’s 21st Century City
San Antonio is a global city with a dynamic economy and workforce, a deep cultural heritage and diverse communities that are resilient and welcoming. It is one of the strongest fiscally managed cities in the country, nurturing entrepreneurship, encouraging investment and funding infrastructure. America’s seventh-largest city offers a vibrant business climate and growth opportunities in bioscience, financial services, aerospace, cybersecurity, energy, transportation, manufacturing and healthcare. In 2015, UNESCO designated San Antonio’s 18th century Spanish colonial missions as a World Heritage Site – the first in Texas. Proudly called Military City, USA®, San Antonio is home to one of the largest populations of active duty military, veterans and crucial military commands. For more information, visit www.sanantonio.gov.
About United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County
United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County envisions a diverse and thriving community, free of racism and discrimination, where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. We succeed when all individuals and ideas are welcomed, valued, represented, and respected. We promote an inclusive culture where all employees, volunteers, donors, and partners are embraced because of our differences. We are unique in who we are and what we believe. We lead by example knowing diversity in our work and community is our greatest strength. For more information, visit www.uwsatx.org.
About Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Southwest Texas Council
The founders grounded the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Southwest Texas Council in the practice of providing direct, person-to-person assistance to those who are suffering and in the principles of kindness, respect, and compassion. For 150 years, we have continued this mission in San Antonio, providing direct assistance to meet critical needs in our community. Our network of 55 Conference location sites spanning almost 1,400 total square miles allows our reach to extend across the Southwest Texas community. Families who are hurting come to us where they know they will be welcomed and listened to. The 136,900 people in the fiscal year 2019-2020 received food, rent, utilities, seasonally appropriate clothing, hygiene, and other items all grounded in our principles of respect and compassion. Learn more at www.svdpsa.org.
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Categories: Press Releases |
