For Immediate Release: 6/29/2010

Our View / HEAT-UP ST. LOUIS
By Jim Merckel, Suburban Journals
Group starts air conditioner distributions earlier in season

Inside the home in the city's Tower Grove South neighborhood, the temperature was stifling.

Bringing relief were two volunteers from Cool Down St. Louis, a non-profit group formed to reduce heat-related deaths and illnesses in the area.

Relief came in the form of an air conditioner meant to replace two air conditioners that together had broken down days before.

After the work was finished, one of the volunteers, the Rev. Earl Nance Jr., said the conditions inside the home weren't unusual.

"We've had seniors that are in houses that feel like ovens," said Nance, who is chairman emeritus of Cool Down St. Louis. "You wonder how the people can live like that so long."

The regional all-volunteer utility assistance and public education charity is in its 10th year of helping people who are sweltering in their homes in the St. Louis heat.

The heat this year means that the group is working earlier than normal, said Gentry Trotter, founder and acting executive director of Cool Down St. Louis.

"Normally, we don't start until July," Trotter said.

So far in June, the group has received about 300 new and slightly used air conditioners.

A major donor was AmerenUE, which gave 100 air conditioners.

In addition, the group recently received a $25,000 grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health Emergency Funding for air conditioners in Missouri.

Also, Vatterott Colleges in the area volunteered to be drop off points for people who want to donate new and slightly used air conditioners. Slightly used air conditioners are less than two years old.

People at Vatterott will make minor repairs to slightly used units, Trotter said.

Beyond air conditioners, Cool Down St. Louis needs money to pay electric bills in danger of being cut off, Trotter said.

The group encourages people behind on their electric bills to work with AmerenUE so they're not cut off.

Also, people are urged to check on their neighbors during times of high heat to ensure they're all right.

Cool Down St. Louis is accepting on-line donations at www.cooldownstlouis.org. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, Mo. 63188.

Qualified people seeking utility assistance should call Cool Down St. Louis' automatic hotline at (314) 241-7668.