Cool for Wake is a seasonal weather relief program that provides free fans and air conditioning units to vulnerable residents who are adversely affected by extreme summer temperatures between May and September. This program is a partnership between RRAR and Wake County Dept. of Health & Human Services, made possible by annual grant provided by the Duke Energy Foundation.
RALEIGH, N.C., May 11, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Triangle residents who don't have air-conditioned homes can face dangerous living conditions as the warmer months approach. Cool For Wake looks to provide welcome relief to those in need again this year.
Cool For Wake is a seasonal weather relief program that provides free fans and air conditioning units to vulnerable residents who are adversely affected by extreme summer temperatures between May and September.
Members of Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors® (RRAR) volunteer to deliver A/C units to homes in need within 24 hours of notification. Qualified residents have never had a delivery take longer than 24 hours during the span of the Cool for Wake project.
"It's important that we have always been able to meet the demand for our neighbors in need," said Denise Kissel, the Volunteer and University Relations Coordinator for Wake County Government.
Households eligible for assistance from the Cool for Wake project include homes where a child, senior, or disabled person is living without air conditioning. Kissel says that in a typical year Cool for Wake volunteers will visit 160 homes. For their contribution, RRAR members deliver an average of 20 A/C units per year during the campaign.
"Realtors® have big hearts and care about the health and safety of neighbors," said Heather Thompson, Executive Director of Realtor® Giving Network.
The Realtor® Giving Network is the social good arm of RRAR, whose mission it is to support neighbors and improve housing solutions in the community. "There is always a waiting list of volunteers to participate in Cool for Wake", Thompson added about RRAR's member participation.
RRAR is a proud contributing member of the Cool for Wake program, which is made possible through the generosity of community donors and an annual grant from the Duke Energy Foundation.
"We know how challenging the heat can be. Cool for Wake is a way to help and bring some much-needed relief to our customers and communities," replied Duke Energy District Manager Marty Clayton in a statement.
"Cool for Wake goes beyond providing comfort. This is about life safety," agreed Kissel about the program's purpose.
Each year, a limited number of window-unit air conditioners are available to seniors and children who have a documented medical history of chronic illness affecting their respiratory system (emphysema, COPD, HIV, asthma, etc.). Requests for these units must be accompanied by a written statement from the applicant's physician.
Households that may not qualify for Cool for Wake can apply for financial assistance to help with cooling bills may be available during the summer months through the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP). Applications for financial assistance can be made through the Wake County Energy Assistance Program.
Contact for more information:
Heather Thompson
Executive Director, Realtor® Giving Network
[email protected]
919-215-4196
Denise Kissel
Wake Co. Volunteer and University Relations Coordinator
[email protected]
919-212-7083
Jay Nelson
Director of Marketing and Communications, Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors®
[email protected]
919-654-5400
Media Contact
Jay Nelson, Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors, 1 919-654-5400, [email protected]
Heather Thompson, Realtor Giving Network, 919-215-4196, [email protected]
SOURCE Raleigh Regional Association of Realtors
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