From Home Depot Magazine —

The Home Depot Supply Helps Low- and Limited Income Texans “Beat the Heat”

The Home Depot Supply stayed cool and came through when the Community Services Foundation (CSF) of the Dallas metropolitan area asked the company for assistance with its “Beat the Heat” program.

“The Beat the Heat Program supplies window air conditioner units to low- income and limited income residents of the metropolitan Dallas area who meet certain qualifications,” said Area Supervisor Todd Harshman. “Unfortunately, we no longer stock the type of unit at the price point the foundation needed.”

“We had a much tighter budget to work with than in years past,” explained CSF Executive Director Joseph Fitzgerald. “Fortunately, the Hillcrest Foundation founded by Mrs. W.W. Caruth Sr. provided CSF with a $10,000 grant that enabled us to purchase 100 window units.”

Todd didn’t let a little thing like not having an appropriate product in stock stop him, however. He put in a call to Gary Margolis at The Home Depot Pro Desk, who found a Hampton Bay model that came close to meeting the CSF’s price requirements. The units also came with remote controls, much to the delight of elderly recipients and those with limited mobility.

“Todd and Gary also gave us 10 percent discounts, and ended up beating every other price we received,” Joseph said. “I am very glad that everything worked out so that we could continue to work with The Home Depot.”

“Volunteers from the North Texas Chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and affiliated partners began to repair or install the window air conditioning units in qualified homes in July,” Joseph added. “Community Services Foundation has also invited The Home Depot to provide volunteer labor to help with the installation. Gary Margolis worked with one of his stores to find volunteers.”

From The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (excerpt) —

In Dallas, Texas, many older adults stay cool during extremely hot weather through a local volunteer project called “Beat the Heat.” Since 1991, Beat the Heat (in the summer) and Heat the Town (in the winter) have been carried out in partnership between the City of Dallas’ Housing Department’s People Helping People program and the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). ACCA members, operating as a non-profit association, annually donate their time, talents, goods and services for people in crisis. The partners donate parts, equipment and time to cool and/or heat homes from installing 110-volt window units to checking for gas and carbon monoxide leaks as well as wiring. During 2003, 190 volunteers logged more than 650 hours and drove thousands of miles to install 50 window units and serviced or repaired 86 heating units for older or disabled homeowners. In 2003, the North Texas Chapter of the ACCA’s Community Service Foundation was honored for its work in Dallas County helping those in need. People Helping People is a project of the Dallas Housing Department established in 1984 to expand the city’s ability to assist low income, older and/or disabled homeowners. For more information about this program, contact Suanne Durham at 214-670-7319.

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©Copyright 2004-05 — URL: http://www.epa.gov/aging/press/profiles/2004_05_dallas.htm , May 7, 2004.

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