Summer is officially here, and so are the scorching temperatures! While many are able to benefit from an air conditioning unit or system in their home, many of our neighbors do not have access to a well-working unit, or to one at all! That’s where United Way of Tarrant County comes in, with their Beat the Heat campaign, which kicked off last month on June 21st! This campaign helps serve so many in this area, including GRACE clients.
Last year alone, Tarrant County experienced one or more heat-related deaths each week throughout the summer. The Beat the Heat campaign aims to diminish this devastating statistic by collecting air conditioning units to help older adults and individuals with disabilities who may not otherwise have access to one. This year, in honor of United Way of Tarrant County’s 100 year anniversary, they’re hoping to collect 100 units! Of the units collected, GRACE receives a portion to serve our clients.
One such client is Miss Judy, an 83-year-old widow of a Vietnam War veteran. Miss Judy has been a GRACE client for over 10 years, and has recently fallen on particularly difficult times. In the last six months, she has been diagnosed with multiple cancerous cysts on her kidneys and has undergone twos separate surgeries in an effort to remove them. Now, this month she faces another surgery to remove the kidney altogether. On top of her own health strains, Miss Judy lost her only son in April of this year to his own cancerous cysts, found in his brain and along his spine.
It’s a lot for anyone to go through, and though she is deeply saddened by her loss, Miss Judy remains fiercely independent and positive – and still wants to give love and support to others in need. One way she does this is through her cooking, especially using recipes she learned through her late husband, who was originally from Mexico. All of this is able to continue thanks to an air conditioning unit that Miss Judy received through the Beat the Heat campaign. Her new unit will help keep her kitchen cool all summer, so she can continue to cook for others. Thanks to Miss Judy, her neighborhood is a happier place, and her neighbors are surely blessed.
The United Way of Tarrant County Beat the Heat campaign is ongoing through the summer until September 30th. Want to help this campaign be a success, supporting GRACE clients and other community members? There are many ways to get involved. Donate money to help pay for new units ($500 covers the cost of one heating/air unit!), use their Amazon and Walmart wish lists to purchase units directly, or donate new or gently used units at one of the various collection sites around the county:
United Way of Tarrant County – Main Office201 N. Rupert Street, Suite 107 Fort Worth, TX 76107
United Way of Tarrant County – Arlington Office401 W. Sanford St., Suite 2600 Arlington, TX 76011
Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce1150 South Freeway, Suite 211, Fort Worth, TX 76104
Thank you, United Way of Tarrant County, for supporting GRACE in a BIG way this summer! And thank you to all helping this campaign reach its goal of 100 units!
