Mexico Westlake Ace Hardware Manager Jason Sargent stands with Laura Miller George Help Center Director Phillip Iman on Tuesday during a donation of more than 100 box fans for residents in need. Westlake held a fundraising drive in June where customers could round up their purchase price to the next dollar and the change would go toward the fan fund.

Mexico’s Westlake Ace Hardware in June conducted a fundraiser to purchase fans for community members in need. Through the generosity of Mexico residents, Westlake was able to provide more than 100 fans to the Laura Miller George Help Center.

Customers were asked if they wanted to round up their purchases to the next dollar, with that figure going toward the Salvation Army fan drive fund. The small donations from June 4-21 raised slightly more than $1,500 allowing the purchase and donation of 103 fans.

“The commitment the employees put into this, was just extraordinary,” Help Center Director Phillip Iman said. “That is just another example of this community that cares. That gives back to others when they can. That is what was really cool.”

Temperatures have been particularly hot this year, he said, and the center already has supplied a number of fans to residents.

“To have that supply of fans replenished is a Godsend to the people we serve,” Iman said. “There were two full pallets plus another one, so that is a lot of fans.”

While other organizations and people donate fans, the fan drive from Westlake and the Salvation Army typically bring in the most fans. The Help Center distributes upward of 150 fans each summer.

Fans are provided to anyone who needs one, regardless of financial standing, Iman said. People only receive one fan, unless there are other factors, he said.

“It is the same way we do our food,” he said. “If people need our food and they come to me asking for food, we are going to provide it to them. The same way with the fan.”

The Help Center still is taking donations of newly purchased fans. While the fan drive purchased box fans, fan donations do not have to be limited to that style, Iman said.

“We would gladly accept donations of fans ... as do the people that we serve,” he said.

Having air circulation in a home, especially if it does not have air conditioning is a matter of public health, Iman said.

“We are glad we have the opportunity to provide fans,” he said. “[I have to] give a huge thank you Westlake Ace Hardware. They are just fantastic.”

nav-oc Naviga Writer 2020-07-24T13:19:17Z false yes NEWS Momex-072520-news-fans