The high today is forecast to be 106 degrees… We now have a report of a sixth heat death in Memphis and this time it is not an elderly person.  The man was 32 years old and living in an apartment without air conditioning.  Somehow he wandered out into the front yard and that’s where people found him collapsed on the ground.

 Obviously there is a desperate need for fans.  Volunteers for the Commission on Aging are out on the streets right now delivering donated fans to the elderly who need them… shut-ins… people without transportation… or simply can’t afford them.

I know there are a lot of people who want to help and we are trying right not to organize a fan drive for tonight’s newscasts.  Its not done yet, but we have people working on it.  We’re going to try to find a central location where it’ll be easy for people to drop of a box fan.

These things don’t cost very much… as little as ten dollars, usually no more than 18.

That’s not much to help save a person’s life.   We’re working on details right now.

In the meantime, if you want to know how to do something yourself, here's the info:

The fans generally cost anywehre between $12-to-$18 each.

The Aging Commission of the Mid-South needs donations. They prefer you donate a 20” box fan, but they will also take cash. If you would like to donate a fan, call (901) 452-0340. They are also looking for volunteers to deliver the fans. To qualify for a free fan you must be 65 or older or an adult with a disability.