Local families with low incomes need help beating the heat during the summer, so Area Churches Together Serving conducts an annual fan drive.
The organization, which also is known as ACTS, and Lowe's are teaming up for the seventh year in a row for the event.
Called "Be an ACTS Fan," it will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 5 and 6 at Lowe's, 2470 Whiskey Road.
Carla Cloud, executive director of ACTS, said the drive's goal is to collect 300 fans.
Lowe's will be selling 20-inch box fans for approximately $17 apiece, and they will be stacked on pallets in the store.
Volunteers and ACTS staff members will be at Lowe's during the drive to receive fans from purchasers. In addition, monetary donations will be accepted.
"Many of our clients live in substandard housing that doesn't have good insulation," Cloud said. "These fans may be the only sources of cool air in their homes, and they will give them some relief in this Southern heat that we have. Hopefully, the fans also will allow our clients with air-conditioning to reduce their bills for utilities."
The fan drive is part of a larger ACTS program that provides heaters and assistance with utilities, in addition to fans, to people in need. Last year, 1,594 families received $112,372 worth of aid from the program.
Anyone who would like to volunteer to assist with the drive or would like more information can call ACTS at 803-649-3800.
Dede Biles is a general assignment reporter for the Aiken Standard and has been with the newspaper since January 2013. A native of Concord, N.C., she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.