Jul. 8—With high temperatures sticking around, many residents are struggling to cool down their homes. Evergy is stepping in to help by donating fans across the area.

The energy company is partnering with AFL-CIO Community Services to get fans into houses.

Dan Hegeman, the community business manager for Evergy, said this partnership with Community Services has gone on for 13 years.

"We've done it over the years. We've delivered thousands of fans, provided them to our customers ... to help beat some of the heat that we're experiencing right now," Hegeman said.

Hegeman said Evergy helps out organizations all across Northwest Missouri.

"We work with nonprofits throughout the region. Here in St. Joseph, we work with AFL-CIO here on the north side, InterServ on the south side of St. Joe and then the Grace House in the Midtown area. They've been great partners," Hegeman said.

Hegeman said Evergy will donate more than 100 fans in Northwest Missouri and thousands over Evergy's service territory.

"We've partnered with the Salvation Army in Kansas City to be able to buy them in bulk at a discount. And so then from there, we deliver them out to the rural areas and other service territories and service centers throughout our territory. And that's how we get the fans up here in Northwest Missouri," Hegeman said.

Nichi Seckinger, executive director of AFL-CIO Community Services, said the partnership with Evergy gives the organization a boost.

"We have a lot of clients that come to us, obviously, with utility issues and things like that. So we work pretty actively with people at Evergy to help. Our relationship with Dan and his group, as far as the fans ... It's something that they've really been conscious of in the community, they're really good.

Along with the cooling program, Seckinger said AFL-CIO Community Services has many more programs to help the community throughout the year.

"We have our annual programs ... our Soles for Christ Program, our Adopt A Family Christmas programs, and we also have our Lions Club program. We have a lot of things that are just always running during the course of the year providing people with all different types of assistance," Seckinger said.

To get connected with the AFL-CIO Community Services hotline, call 816-364-1131. The organization can also be reached by using 211 from a landline. They can also be reached at helpmenow.org.

Riley Funk can be reached at riley.funk@newspressnow.com.