Jul. 10--MCALLEN -- The McAllen Salvation Army Corps is trying to offer some relief to Rio Grande Valley residents as the summer heat index climbs above 110 degrees.

The agency's "Beat the Heat" campaign will provide air conditioning units as well as 500 20-inch fans to Valley residents in need until Sept. 30.

CPL Retail Energy, which supplies electricity to customers throughout South Texas, donated $7,000 to start the campaign.

The company capped its electricity prices to help customers during the summer months, but a representative for the energy provider said it wants to help more people.

"Our work with the Salvation Army gives us the opportunity to expand help beyond CPL customers," said Lisa Dornan, a company spokeswoman.

Valley residents in need who have health problems will receive the air conditioners, while any resident without financial means can receive a fan.

"It would be an unreasonable expectation to provide air-conditioning for everyone," said Maj. Dan Ford of the McAllen Salvation Army Corps. "That's where the fans come in."

Eleven heat-related deaths occurred in the Valley from 1999 to 2004, the Texas Department of State Health Services reports in its most recent study of heat-related deaths.

Although Ford would like to serve the needs of anyone who comes to the Salvation Army, he pointed out that it will require several thousand more 20-inch fans to achieve that goal.

The Salvation Army kicked off the Beat the Heat campaign, but the initiative's success depends on strong public participation, Ford said.

"As a nonprofit, we're limited by what the community allows us to do," he said.

NEED HELP?

If you need assistance from the Salvation Army or would like to make a contribution to the Beat the Heat campaign, call the McAllen Salvation Army Corps at (956) 682-1468 or visit any of these locations:

>> McAllen -- The Salvation Army, 1600 N. 23rd St.

>> Weslaco -- Weslaco Thrift Store, 401 S. Texas Blvd.

>> Edinburg -- The Salvation Army, 500 E. Cano St.

Spence Kimball covers general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956)683-4423.

-----

To see more of The Monitor, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.themonitor.com.

Copyright (c) 2009, The Monitor, McAllen, Texas

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

A service of YellowBrix, Inc.