Jefferson City community helps neighbors stay cool

July 1, 2022 at 4:00 a.m.

by Joe Gamm

Julie Smith/News Tribune James Hayes, left, carries box fans to his Westlake Ace Hardware co-worker Devon Bailey, at back of van, to place inside as Nolan Windell, 9, middle, hands his mother, Major Sarah Windell, a box fan he picked from the cart. Once again Westlake came through with fans for the Salvation Army who next week will begin distribution to those in need. In total Ace Hardware collected donations to purchase 91 fans, of which over half were picked up Thursday by Windell and her sons.
Julie Smith/News Tribune James Hayes, left, carries box fans to his Westlake Ace Hardware co-worker Devon Bailey, at back of van, to place inside as Nolan Windell, 9, middle, hands his mother, Major Sarah Windell, a box fan he picked from the cart. Once again Westlake came through with fans for the Salvation Army who next week will begin distribution to those in need. In total Ace Hardware collected donations to purchase 91 fans, of which over half were picked up Thursday by Windell and her sons.

Summer heat set in way too early in Central Missouri this year.

One benefit of unusually hot weather during the spring, a Westlake Ace Hardware store manager said, was consumers may have been more aware of the need for fans in the community.

Randy Miller, manager at the Jefferson City store at 2305 Missouri Blvd., said the store received donations of 91 fans during the 10th annual June fan drive.

During the drive, the hardware chain offers customers a chance to round up their purchases to help pay for fans. Westlake is able to buy the fans at a highly discounted price. The store also accepts donations of new fans.

The drive ended June 19, but some consumers continue to bring in donations, which are all given to the Jefferson City Salvation Army, organizers said.

Miller said the drive likely set a record for the number of fans it provided for the local nonprofit. The Salvation Army picked up the fans Thursday.

Salvation Army Maj. Sarah Windell said the organization will begin distribution of the fans Tuesday. Beginning Tuesday, recipients must come into the Salvation Army's social services office at 927 Jefferson St. and fill out an application. The process only takes about five minutes, Windell said, and recipients leave with the fans in hand.

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