One hundred rooms in Warren County will be a little cooler soon thanks to the Vicksburg Rotary club and the local Wal-Mart SuperCenter.

Beat the heat

Vicksburg’s local United Way organization will make 100 box fans available, first to elderly and disabled residents, then to other needy families. To request a fan, call Ruby Green at the United Way, 601-636-1733.

Members of the civic organization donated $1,400 and Wal-Mart pitched in to provide 20-inch box fans at cost to be turned over to the United Way for distribution by their member organizations.

“We take so much for granted, with air conditioning and all the comforts we have,” said Barbara Tolliver, director of United Way for West Central Mississippi. The families who benefit from the donations “are so blessed just to have these box fans.”

Tolliver said first on the list of recipients will be the elderly and disabled. After those needs have been filled, other needy families will be helped.

“I’m thrilled,” said Lynn Foley, a member of the Rotary’s board of directors and its community service chairman. “We’ve been collecting money for three weeks at our Thursday lunch meetings.”

It will be the second year the Rotary has funded the 100-fans project, an idea Tolliver came up with last year after a friend who directs another Mississippi United Way chapter successfully tried it.

“Back by popular demand, as we like to say,” said Tolliver, who is also a Rotarian. “I think it’s needed. We’re working through the United Way again and with home health agencies again.” The United Way will not distribute the fans, but store them and make them available as needs are identified by member groups.

Getting the fans at cost saved about $300, said Karen Winters, Wal-Mart’s hardware department manager. “Wal-Mart always helps charities,” Winters said. “Being one of the Wal-Mart family, we love to help people and donate to the community.”

Tolliver said for those approved for fans who are unable to pick them up, delivery will be arranged. Identification will be required.

To register a request, call Ruby Green at the United Way at 601-636-1733.

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Contact Pamela Hitchins at phitchins@vicksburgpost.com