Salvation Army, KFOR Fans 4 Oklahoma fan drive still underway

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — With summer temperatures returning to the Sooner State here soon, Westlake ACE Hardware, the Salvation Army and KFOR have teamed up to keep hundreds of Oklahomans cool this summer.

Pallets full of fans were being loaded up Monday morning that will soon be in the hands of those in need of some summer heat relief.

It’s all a part of KFOR and the Salvation Army’s Fans 4 Oklahoma drive. Since the end of May, customers at Westlake ACE Hardware stores in Oklahoma City have been rounding up their bill at the register to the nearest dollar in an effort to save money and buy box fans for anyone that may need them.

"It's nice to see the community giving back to people in need for sure,” Westlake ACE Hardware General Manager David Rapson said.

Rapson said their Oklahoma City stores raised $3,600 dollars, which was enough to buy 210 fans.

“The community was so generous with rounding up at the register, and we are just delighted to be able to get these back out to the community,” Annie Perkins with the Salvation Army said.

Every year, the need for fans grows, too. Perkins said they’ve already given out 300 of them.

“For box fans, it can significantly help individuals who are trying to cut back on utility bills and just run their home more efficiently,” she said.

Nationwide, customers donated over $100,000 that resulted in 6,000 fans. This most recent truckload will only add to it and make another couple hundred Oklahoma families a little cooler this summer.

If you or your family need a fan, you just have to contact your local Salvation Army office. To find Salvation Army locations nearby, visit salvationarmyusa.org.