Nonprofit agency keeps the needy cool this summer, still seeking assistance
Posted on Friday, July 11, 2008
ROGERS - Some people will now be able to cope better with the summer heat, an Office of Human Concern spokeswoman said.
A donation made the OHC able to help some needy people stay cool, OHC Program Development Coordinator Kimberly Porter said.
"This year, Car Mart of Siloam Springs donated 55 box fans to our agency, and they are being distributed in Benton, Madison and Carroll counties to low-income, elderly, disabled families that need relief from the heat. We have several programs inhouse," she said.
OHC, a nonprofit organization, has been in Rogers for 40 years. It's now located in a residential area at 506 E. Spruce St. OHC is a multifaceted agency, Porter said.
The Community Action agency for Benton, Madison and Carroll counties, OHC has a Senior Service program that provides home-delivered meals and operates senior centers and other programs in those counties, she said.
Also, among OHC initiatives are an Energy Assistance Asset Development program, which can provide some with help with their utility bills; a program for weatherization of homes, which helps families become self-sufficient; and others, she said.
Through its many programs, OHC staffers learn about the needs of some for help with beating the heat, and people at senior centers make them aware of still others with the same need, Porter said.
"We have distributed a little over half (of the fans ) through those kinds of referrals, through programs. And then we have senior centers that make referrals as well, in Benton, Madison and Carroll counties, for families who are in need. … We have many, many partner agencies that we work with, that make referrals to our different programs, to try to make sure that we're covering as many of the bases as we can for these families," she said.
She's grateful to Car Mart of Siloam Springs for its assistance, but would also welcome donations from others, or for that matter, more tips about who needs the fans, Porter said.
"Before (Car Mart ) contacted us, we didn't have an avenue for any (fans ) this year. We were very, very pleased to get them, and our families were pleased. They'd delivered over half of them probably three hours after we picked them up. … We would love other donations, and if there's somebody that knows of somebody in need, they're certainly welcome to call and see if we have any (fans ) left when they call. We'll do whatever we can do to help those that need it," she said.
To donate or provide information, call OHC at (479 ) 636-7301, Porter said.
"If they're interested in donating, they can talk with myself, Kimberly Porter (program development coordinator ), or they can talk with our operations manager, Karen Jennings. And they can speak with any of our workers (to find out about the fans )," Porter said.
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