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Insights > Entergy Texas Fan Donations Bring Winds of Relief to Thousands of Customers
Entergy Texas Fan Donations Bring Winds of Relief to Thousands of Customers
07/20/2017
This summer’s Beat the Heat Program was deemed “fan-tastic” by the agencies who received 1,300 fans, courtesy of Entergy Texas.
This is the 17th year that Entergy Texas has donated fans to agencies to give to their clients in need. This year’s donation brings the total number of donated fans to 19,300.
“We get the fans to elderly and disabled people who are unable to get out of their houses and relieve themselves from the heat,” said Chrissie Joyner, special program coordinator for Some Other Place, a social service agency in Beaumont. “The box fans are great, because they can put them in the window and stir the air. They can't run the A/C because of the expense. These clients have overwhelming gratitude at getting the fans. I've even heard them cry with joy.”
Joyner, who has worked at Some Other Place for 32 years, said fans have a shelf life. After running for hours on end, they wear out and need to be replaced.
Gayle Nagai, secretary and grant writer for United Christian Care Center, said the fans fill a huge need for customers in Vidor.
“I will get the phone calls a lot of times from people who ask if we have fans. They say, ‘My air conditioner has gone out, and I can’t afford to have it repaired. I’m in a house that’s 90+ degrees, and anything you can do will help,’” she said. “Entergy is filling a big need in the community.”
Salvation Army locations also receive fans, including Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange.
“This program has been in existence for 17 years, so that says a lot about the company itself,” said Capt. Donald Marvels of the Salvation Army in Beaumont. “There are a lot of lives that are lost because of the heat. What better way to support the community than to support those people who are going to need these fans.”
