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| August 20, 2008 |
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Parish gains new fans by donating fansMORE INFOIf you are interested in donating a box or pedestal fan to Habitat for Humanity, call 850-434-5456 or simply drop off the new or gently used fan at the office at 1060 N. Guillemard St., Pensacola, Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. In addition, if you would like to donate, Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida’s regional offices will ensure that fans go to those in need. Fort Walton Beach: 850-244-2825; Panama City: 850-763-0475; Pensacola: 860-436-6410; and Tallahassee: 850-222-2180. PENSACOLA | Scorching summer temperatures have met their match thanks to the efforts of some parishioners from the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. They collected box and pedestal fans and donated them to Habitat for Humanity. Parish outreach coordinator Kay Hale said the idea was the result of brainstorming creative ways to mobilize the parish community. “We are often asking our parishioners to donate food or clothing,” Hale said. This time, however, they wanted to reach further, go beyond the norm and perhaps make a more lasting difference. It also allowed more parishioners to be involved in the Habitat for Humanity mission through which the parish has built numerous homes. “This was a way for our parish to remain a presence in the lives of residents with Habitat for Humanity after construction,” she added. Msgr. Michael Reed, rector of the cathedral, commended his flock. “We feel, as Catholics and as a parish, that we always have to be aware of and compassionate toward those in our community who are in need. Summertime without access to air conditioning or even a fan is a severe hardship and health hazard for many of our neighbors,” he said. With that in mind, Hale and the outreach office sprang into action. The drive began May 24 and ended June 1. In two weeks, Hale had collected 21 fans. “I was overwhelmed with the response; it was completely unexpected,” she said. “Our parish family is really wonderful.” Parishioners flooded the church office with box and pedestal fans and donations of cash so Hale could purchase extra fans. “It was incredible,” she said of how quickly the donations came in. “The generosity of this parish is just really amazing!” When she called Janet Westlake, Habitat for Humanity church relations coordinator, to tell her the news, Westlake couldn’t believe it either. “I just knew the homeowners were going to be thrilled,” Westlake said. Storing the 21 fans wasn’t an issue for Westlake. “We gave them away in less than a week!” All the houses Habitat for Humanity builds have central air conditioning and heating, but some homeowners are trying to keep their electric bills down and haven’t turned on their main units. “They were grateful for the fan they received because they could put off using their central air a little longer,” Westlake said. Other recipients are on a waiting list to become homeowners. As part of their partnership with Habitat for Humanity, they provide 300 hours of community service either at the construction site, at the Habitat office or with another United Way agency. In addition, they take classes in finance and homeownership. “When they came to fulfill their service hours or take classes, we told them about the fans. Many of them are living in rental properties without adequate ventilation or working air conditioning. The fans were literally lifesaving for them,” Westlake said. Hale was thrilled to be part of such a tremendous success. “I honestly didn’t expect to receive so many in such short time,” she said, adding that the response is clearly a testament to the dedication of her fellow parishioners to helping others. Hales said she feels it also speaks loudly to the Catholic community that ingenuity and determining the true needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ – food for the hungry, clothes for the naked, fans for the sweltering – is a strong testament to living Gospel values.
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