Scorching summer ups demand for church's air-conditioner program, installers needed
New Jerusalem Baptist Church will reach out to the community yet again Saturday with free services, this time including school immunizations provided by the local health district. But the church has an ask of its own as extreme temperatures blast Wichita Falls.
The Rev. Angus Thompson is hoping for volunteers from other churches to help install in-demand air-conditioners during New Jerusalem's 17th annual air-conditioning ministry this summer.
“It’s never been this hot. I guess those years that we were doing it before was a practice run for us," Thompson, church pastor, said. "Almost daily we install air conditioners."
More:New Jerusalem Baptist Church offers free air conditioners
New Jerusalem takes the names of people screened by Adult Protective Services and provides them with free air conditioners. The church buys them, and volunteers install the air conditioners in Wichita County homes.
Demand has been higher this year as temperatures — often topping 100 degrees — hammer the Wichita Falls area day after day.
"This is a very crucial time. This is a deadly time," Thompson said. "I realize that people don’t want to get out, but we have people who are suffering in this heat.”
Churches interested in providing volunteers for air-conditioner installation and people in need of air conditioners who are reluctant to go through APS can contact New Jerusalem directly at 940-766-4022.
“We want to help as many people as we can," Thompson said. “We are praying for those who live in houses where there’s no cooling equipment. That’s the main thing is we want to keep them alive and keep them cool.”
And New Jerusalem would certainly appreciate help with air-conditioner installation, Thompson said.
This coming Saturday, the church at 1420 Borton Lane is offering free school vaccinations, COVID shots, food and clothing, as well as bringing meals to shut-ins.
Students can receive back-to-school immunizations 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at the New Jerusalem Baptist Church, according to Thompson. They must bring their updated shot record.
The church will give backpacks to the first 50 students who receive their vaccinations.
More:Extreme heat prompts multiple warnings for region
The shots will be given by the Wichita County-Wichita Falls Public Health District.
The health district will offer COVID boosters for adults and children's COVID immunizations, said Mary Ann Merriex, a retired licensed vocational nurse who is in charge of New Jerusalem's health ministry.
For more information about immunizations, contact Merriex at 940-704-2188.
The doors at the church's Family Life Center will open at 9 a.m. Saturday. The church will have its fourth Saturday food and clothes distribution at 9:30 a.m. that day, as well as deliver Meals on Wheels for shut-ins.
New Jerusalem's assistance to schools, seniors and others includes Project Operation Fresh Start.
The volunteer community group is dedicated to improving local neighborhoods and schools. Sheppard Air Force Base personnel, several other churches, students and other community members give their time for the initiative.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: New Jerusalem church offers immunizations, needs help with AC program
