KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A heat advisory for the Kansas City area has groups like Project Eldercool making sure seniors can stay safe and cool.
Bishop Sullivan Center’s Project Eldercool has been delivering and installing air conditioners for seniors citizens since 2000.
According to the organization’s website, Project Eldercool started after a deadly Summer in 1999 where 21 seniors died due to extreme temperatures.
Interns Jacob Kamper and Calvin Hudson deliver and install air conditioners for Project Eldercool.
“Most homes we go into are in 90 plus degrees. So with this heat index coming in, when you’re 65 plus and don’t have central air or cooling system in your house, you kind of need that fresh air, that cool air,” Kamper said.
Hudson explained a lot of the people they serve have health issues and problems breathing, which makes the air conditioners a lifesaver.
“It’s very rewarding. Just yesterday we had a woman call us her unsung heroes because we saved her from this heat,” Hudson said.
To be eligible, people must be 65 and older, not have a working air conditioner in their home and live under 150 percent of the poverty guidelines.
For information on eligibility requirements can be found on the Bishop Sullivan Center’s website.
The organization also accepts donations.
