The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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June 16, 2009

OG&E makes donation of 1,000 fans to help beat the heat in state

Staff reports

As temperatures climb, help has become available for people to beat the heat.

OG&E; Electric Services made a donation of more than 1,000 electric fans Monday to help low-income and elderly people in its service area across the state this summer.

In Enid, fans were given to Salvation Army, 516 N. Independence, 237-1910, and Retired Senior Volunteer Program, 602 S. Van Buren, 233-5914.

“We are quickly building a tradition of partnering with agencies that work directly with those in need to distribute these fans as summer temperatures rise,” said Brian Alford, OG&E; spokesman. “This year we are expanding our program to communities across our service territory.”

Alford said summer heat can be extremely dangerous to vulnerable populations.

“You should continue to use your air conditioning when it is extremely hot,” Alford said. “You can adjust your thermostat by a few degrees to conserve energy and use a fan to move air and help to keep you comfortable.”

According to the National Weather Service, high temperatures in Enid are expected to hit near 100 today and be in the mid- to upper-90s through at least Tuesday.

In Alva, fans were delivered to Woods County Department of Human Services. In Woodward, they were delivered to Salvation Army and Woodward Senior Center.

OG&E; also has partnered with nearly 300 locations statewide to create sites designated as Cool Zones for seniors and others vulnerable to heat-related problems. Cool Zones offer a place to escape the summer heat and related health risks.

Cool Zones in Enid are Public Library of Enid and Garfield County, 120 W. Maine, and Senior Life Network at Oakwood Mall. The library is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Senior Life Network is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In Enid, Northern Okla-homa Development Authority, 237-4810, is the contact point for information about Cool Zones.

Cool Zones in Alva are Alva Senior Center/Panhandle Nutrition Site, 625 Barnes, and Alva Public Library, 504 7th.

In Woodward, Cool Zones are Woodward Senior Center, 1420 Downs; Woodward Library, 1508 Main; and American Red Cross, 1209 9th.

OG&E; and local social service agencies first organized the Cool Zone program in 2001 to help raise public awareness about the health dangers caused by heat.

OEDA will serve as the central contact point for Alva and Woodward. The agency may be contacted at (800) 658-2844 or (580) 625-4531.

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