Beat the heat with Eldercare summer fan drive

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- A heat wave continued across Central Texas Wednesday.

Camp Mabry tied a record of 101 degrees Fahrenheit Wednesday. Eight temperature records have been either broken or tied so far this month, and there are still 19 days left in June.

The sizzling weather is causing a huge demand for fans in this year's summer fan drive.  For 18 years, Austin's Family Eldercare has distributed fans and air conditioning units to the elderly and low-income families.

One of the first people to receive a fan was Andrew Guzman. Even with blazing hot temperatures outside, Guzman is keeping cool inside.

"It's been real hot baby! Believe me!" Guzman said. "It's like something falling from the sky. It surprises you that people care about you, sure do."

No one seeking a fan from the group will be turned away. Yet with the heat wave starting early, the demand for fans has also started early.

"If you would see the smiles on small children and those that are homebound, tears just start streaming," said Family Eldercare Executive Director Karen Langley.

Family Eldercare had to buy about 5,000 fans in advance, even before the fan drive kicked off.

"They're so appreciative," Langley said of the people Family Eldercare helps. "What a difference it can feel if you're sitting in a wheelchair or in a bed, and you don't have cool air blowing on you. It saves lives. It makes a huge difference."

"It's nice to have a fan like that!" Guzman said.

Family Eldercare's biggest fundraiser is Fan Fare Friday on June 20 at Threadgill's World Headquarters, at 301 W. Riverside Drive.