Help Columbia Police 'Fan the Heat'

Donations are needed for the Columbia Police Department's annual “Fan the Heat” Program, which starts Friday.

Columbia Police will be collecting fans, air conditioning units and monetary contributions from Friday until August 30.

The program is primarily designed for senior citizens, residents with health concerns or disabilities, and families with small children.

Donations can be dropped off at the department's headquarters located at #1 Justice Square.

For monetary donations, make a check payable to: The Columbia Police Foundation. Note the “Fan the Heat” Program on the check.

To be eligilble for the program, you must be 55 years old or older. Those seeking assistance must provide their name, address and telephone number.

If a person has a respiratory problem or a major illness, he or she can bring in a doctor’s statement regardless of age to receive assistance.

For more information, call the Crime Prevention Unit at 803-545-3555, 803-545-3553 or 803-545-4280.

Since the Fan the Heat program started in 1995, approximately 7,000 Columbia citizens have received a fan or air conditioning unit.

Submitted by the Columbia Police Department