Tristate social service agencies are seeking donations of fans and air conditioners to help a growing number of low-income residents dealing with health problems and the heat.

        “Last week, when the weather was so hot, our phones did not stop ringing,” said Nancy Starks, an administrative assistant at Franciscan at St. John social service center in Over-the-Rhine. “Everyone wanted a fan or an air conditioner.”

        Agencies also are seeking donations to buy new fans and air conditioning units, and to help pay utility bills.

        “We serve a lot of seniors who are on fixed incomes,” said Herbert Walker, manag er of emergency services at the Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency in Walnut Hills. “They'd rather have a fan than an air conditioner because of their high gas and electric bills.”

        The FreeStore/FoodBank , in Over-the-Rhine has about 70 applications for air conditioners in recent weeks, but has only 43 to give out, said Mindy McPherson, special projects coordinator. The agency also has given out about half of the 300 fans it had on hand.

        “The air conditioners go to people with a serious medical condition, such as a terminal or chronically debilitating disease,” Miss

        McPherson said. “With fans, recipients have to be 59 or older, have a child 5 or younger, have any kind of medical condition (that's made worse by the heat) or be more than four months pregnant.”

        Senior Services of Northern Kentucky, which serves residents over age 60 in eight counties, ran out of fans last week, said development director Mary Hunter Ellis.

        “When our staff and volunteers deliver meals to (homebound seniors), it can be stifling,” Ms. Ellis said. “Often, they're not aware of what's happening, and they can be overcome quickly.”

        Those most at risk are infants and the elderly in frail health, said Dr. Susy Kramer of the Northern Kentucky Independent District Health Department.

        Both age extremes are more likely to be become dehydrated.

        Also at risk, she said, are people with chronic illnesses or those who take medicines that impair their body's ability to deal with temperature extremes.

        Dr. Kramer said people who don't have air conditioning can visit public places that are air conditioned. They also should drink plenty of water and juices before going out in the heat, and take more frequent breaks when working outdoors.

        “For those of us who have air conditioning, if we know we have neighbors at risk, we should think about checking on them, and maybe inviting them over for an hour or two,” Dr. Kramer said.

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