Council on Aging of West Florida’s annual Pete Moore Automotive Team Senior Chill Out had its most successful event ever on June 24, collecting a total 472 fans, 467 air conditioner units, and $96,146 to help vulnerable seniors stay cool this summer. The daylong donation drive in support of area elders was hosted by five area Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in partnership with WEAR ABC 3, WFGX 35, Cat Country 98.7, and NewsRadio 92.3.
Friday temperatures in the mid-90s and an afternoon thunderstorm did not deter individuals, groups, and businesses from showing up and donating throughout the day to assist local seniors who are at greater risk of health complications due to the dangerous summer heat.
Council on Aging is grateful for generous donations from title sponsor Pete Moore Automotive Team, as well as from Ascend Cares Foundation, Avalon HR, Baptist Health Care, Boutwell’s Air Masters, Stacy Brown, Climate Control of Pensacola, Deep Water City Elks Lodge 751, Engineered Cooling Services, Five Flags Rotary, Florida Power and Light, Gilmore, Haggai Temple 182, County Commissioner Lumon May, Merritt Glass Company, Northwest Florida AC, Oops Alley, Sherriff Chip Simmons, Sue Straughn, Bill Trushel, Joseph William, Zeta Phi Beta, and all the other wonderful donors and sponsors.
“We were concerned that the impact of rising inflation on so many families would slow down donations this year, but we saw so much generosity toward our local seniors who are living without air conditioning,” said Josh Newby, President/CEO of Council on Aging. “We’ve been incredibly humbled by the outpouring of support from our community.”
In 2021, Council on Aging helped more than 800 at-risk older adults avoid the hazardous effects of heat-related health complications with donations of 357 AC units, 240 fans, and $57,587.
Individuals aged 60 and older who are interested in receiving a fan and/or AC should call Council on Aging at (850) 432-1475 beginning Monday, June 27.