When summer’s temperatures and humidity start rising, many area sick and elderly people feel the impact.  For those with medical conditions like asthma, allergies, lung and heart disease and other respiratory problems, the added stress of summer temperatures can be life threatening.  To reduce the threat, Community Action Council’s Summer Cooling Program has started accepting applications for assistance.   The Summer Cooling Program loans air conditioners to people who need but cannot afford them.  Low-income residents in Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas counties may apply for assistance if they have a medical need for cool air circulation.  An applicant will need to have a form letter from The Council completed and signed by his/her doctor explaining the medical need for an air conditioner. 

Each year the Council’s Summer Cooling Program assists low-income residents whose health is threatened by high heat and humidity as verified by their doctors. “I was having trouble breathing,” Sally McFarland said of living without air conditioning last summer. “Both me and my granddaughter have severe asthma and my other two grandkids have bad allergies.” Through the Summer Cooling program, the Council was able to place an air conditioner in Ms. McFarland’s home to the relief of her three grandchildren and herself. “I have my grandchildren to take care of and how could I help them when I was struggling to take care of my health? Summer Cooling helped a whole lot. I was tickled to death with how quickly I was able to get an air conditioner. Then I didn’t have to suffer with every breath I took in the house and the kids’ allergies eased up.”

Community Action Council for Lexington-Fayette, Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas counties creates opportunities for individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency. The Council supports low-income people through advocacy, service delivery and community involvement. For more information please call Community Action Council at 859-233-4600 or visit any of our neighborhood centers.