New Around the Mission
Box Fans Relieve Heat for Texas Seniors
June 14, 2011
In the coastal region of Sugarland, Texas, summer temperatures can soar above 100 degrees—compounded by 70% humidity. Tragically, many low-income seniors without access to air-conditioning die of heat stroke each year.
“With the heat and humidity and no circulation in the house, it can be suffocating,” says the Rev. Frankie Rodriquez, pastor of Living Stones Church.
But this year, many seniors are enjoying a cool breeze, thanks to the 35-attendee church’s Caliente Control outreach. The previous winter, Living Stones had collected and delivered space heaters to a list of elderly residents provided by a local Meals on Wheels program. As the sweltering summer approached, Frankie asked his parish to donate box fans to help seniors stay cool in their homes.
On May 29, parishioners and their families and friends brought 39 fans to the church. Volunteers then split up to deliver the fans to seniors on another list from Meals on Wheels. They received many thank yous—some seniors wanted to visit at length, others were almost embarrassed to receive “charity.” But no matter the response, parishioners reported the experience of hands-on service was very moving.
“When they knocked on the door, and the person opened up, they noticed that the person was in dire need, and this was all they had,” Frankie says. “What brought tears to their eyes was the chance to pray for the seniors’ needs and speak a blessing on them as they left.”
One parishioner commented that his son had never seen this kind of poverty. “It opened both of our eyes to see that these people live here with us, and we can do something about it if we pay a little closer attention,” he shared with Frankie.
“The most incredible responses were from people of our church who had that barrier of fear brought down,” Frankie agrees. “They went out and did it instead of just writing a check.”
Afterward, the group reconvened at a neighborhood park for communion and a Memorial Day weekend picnic. The volunteer coordinator from Meals on Wheels joined them for the celebration.
“It was a blessing that we could do something, and a burden in seeing how some people live,” Frankie says. “A fan might make some difference for a season in a room, but there’s so much more out there that the church can do. We have to be determined we’re not doing this for ourselves, but to honor God, and that compels us to be bigger than we think we can and serve in greater ways than we think are possible.”
Learn more at Living Stones Church.
Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action
