INTEREST WARMS IN SIKESTON PAPER'S EFFORT TO HELP THE ELDERLY KEEP COOL

SIKESTON -- Weather forecasters are calling for the summer temperatures to rise to the 80s this week. By July, temperatures will creep into the 90s, rising to 100 degrees or more in the next several weeks.

Many Southeast Missouri residents will simply check their air conditioner and experience the heat only occasionally when venturing outdoors. Others aren't so lucky. They have neither an air conditioner nor even a fan to cool the air around them.

To assist these individuals, particularly the elderly, the Sikeston Standard-Democrat along with advertisers and organizations, will give away fans to local residents.

"Hot weather can pose a real danger to those who have no way to keep cool," said Deanna Nelson, advertising manager for the Standard-Democrat.

Nelson said the newspaper's goal is to acquire 80 fans which will be distributed locally through the Keep Cool Campaign. The fans will be delivered around the first of July.

The fans will be provided on a need basis with the elderly given priority. If enough fans are available, they will be distributed to other needy individuals as well.

Readers are being asked to help in the project by providing names and information about those who would benefit from the Keep Cool Campaign.

Funding for the project is being made possible through more than two dozen advertisers who have already agreed to donate to the project. Sponsors agreed it is a project well worth supporting.

Through his dealings with the elderly, Ronnie Sells with Sells Nursing Home, has seen first-hand the effect the warm weather can have on individuals.

"We have been in the business of caring for the elderly for 60 years now. The hot weather is something we are concerned about, especially when the temperature reaches the 80 or 90 degree mark because we know there are some folks out there without air-conditioners," said Sells.

"We see this as a real opportunity for us to get involved by getting fans to the elderly to ensure their health and safety.

Names will be taken for the Keep Cool Campaign through June 27. Names must be submitted on the forms from the paper or a copy of the form, telephone calls will not be accepted.

Those who wish to assist in providing fans can drop off a donation or mail it to: Keep Cool Campaign in care of the Standard-Democrat, 205 S. New Madrid, Sikeston, Mo., 63801.