HUNDREDS TO RECEIVE NEW FANS THROUGH PROGRAMS

High heat and humidity levels over the weekend have prompted some local residents to seek relief from two fan and air-conditioning distribution programs.

Temperatures reached the mid-90s Sunday and Monday and are expected to top 90 degrees again today.

The heat, coupled with humidity levels at times near 100 percent, are making for miserably hot days for families who have no source for cooling their homes, said Salvation Army Major Robert Gauthier.

Some relief from the heat is expected Wednesday and Thursday, when highs are expected to be around 85 degrees with a chance for thunderstorms both days.

The Salvation Army and East Missouri Action Agency both provide devices to cool homes and assistance paying utility bills for qualifying families.

Salvation Army Major Robert Gauthier said he is seeing more requests for the church's annual fan giveaway program than in its energy assistance program.

Each year, the Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope, sponsors a fan giveaway program for households that are not air-conditioned. Last year, nearly 300 fans were distributed, but Gauthier expects that number to increase this year.

About 50 fans were given away last week, and Gauthier expects the 50 fans purchased Monday to be gone before the end of the day.

"These are for people for whom this will be their only source of relief from the heat," said Gauthier. "We surely don't want someone to die because they can't get any relief from this unbearable weather."

Gauthier said the fans are given away rather than sold because they're usually worn out after a season of round-the-clock use. Of the fans given out so far this year, fewer than five have gone to prior recipients.

"We tried a loan system the first couple of years I was here, and the fans would come back in such bad shape just from regular, routine use that it would have taken a lot of time to clean them up and get them ready for the next year," Gauthier said.

The Salvation Army purchases the majority of the fans, although donations also are received from community organizations and individuals.

KFVS-12 TV initiated its fifth annual Heartland Fan Club project Friday to acquire fan donations. Viewers are encouraged to drop off new or good used fans at any Salvation Army in Southern Illinois and Southeast Missouri.

Kevin Sexton, a community service representative with the East Missouri Action Agency, said requests for assistance, especially with utility bill payments, is up as families try to finish paying off winter bills and begin paying for cooling homes this summer.

"It's a little bit of both," Sexton said. "We've been working basically nonstop since Tuesday on energy assistance."

Sexton said families must meet income guidelines to qualify for the energy assistance program, which currently covers electric costs only.

However, the agency received money from the United Cities Gas Co., which serves customers in Millersville, Fruitland and Gordonville, Mo., to help customers in those communities who need assistance with winter gas costs.

The agency also has received a limited number of requests for fans and air conditioners to families. To be eligible, families must show proof of a medical need.

Fans also are available to families with children younger than 5 years old..