Police departments giving box fans to residents in need

Two police departments in Lexington County are offering free box fans to residents in need of reprieve from the heat in the coming summer months.

The Lexington Police Department is hosting its Free Fan Program and West Columbia Police Department is kicking off its Fan the Heat Project, which are giving electric fans to needy residents.

Town of Lexington residents in need of fans to stay cool when temperatures rise can stop by the department, 111 Maiden Lane, during business hours. The department’s Community Action Team is also available to drop off fans to homes.

The department continues to accept donations of of box-style fans, which must be new and in its original packaging.

Anyone in need of fans in West Columbia or would like to donate them can contact Lt. John Norman at (803) 936-6280. Tax deductible financial contributions can be made to the West Columbia Police Officers’ Foundation.

Lexington Police Chief Terrence Green said the department has offered the program for several years to help those in the community who may not be able to stay cool otherwise.

“This program has been made possible from the generous support of those in our community with both individuals and businesses making donations of fans to keep it going,” Green said.

West Columbia Police Chief Dennis Tyndall said the initiative, which has distributed hundreds of fans in the past, is vital to the community.

“There are so many people who are vulnerable to the oppressive heat that we deal with in this area,” Tyndall said. “We try very hard to help those who are homebound to make their lives more comfortable as summer approaches, especially our elderly and those with medical conditions.”

This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Police departments giving box fans to residents in need."