FRAN’S FANS: Help seniors get relief from the sweltering summer heat

Fran’s Fans is a community effort to help provide relief from the heat for seniors with little to no income

FRAN’S FANS: Help seniors get relief from the sweltering summer heat FRAN’S FANS: Help seniors get relief from the sweltering summer heat (wect)

By Frances Weller

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - You think it’s hot outside? Imagine not having as much as a fan inside. You may be surprised to know many area senior citizens live inside sweltering hot houses or apartments because they can’t afford fans or don’t have transportation to get one.

[ Children make hundreds of homemade cards for recipients of Fran’s Fans ]

Here’s how you can help. WECT’s Fran’s Fans will return to Lowe’s Home Improvement stores for two days. The collection drive will take place Tuesday, June 28 and Wednesday, June 29. During those days, people who would like to donate a fan--or several--can go by one of the participating stores, buy a fan for $26.99, and leave it at the store. WECT and Lowe’s will handle getting the fans delivered. The fans collected will be distributed to senior centers in all five counties of the WECT viewing area.

Each fan costs $26.99 and can be bought at these Lowe’s Home Improvement locations for Fran’s Fans. While our coverage will be at the times listed, you can buy and donate fans anytime while the stores are open on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday, June 28

Surf City/Hampstead (106 Wilkes Ln, Hampstead) 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Porter’s Neck (191 Porters Neck Rd, Wilmington) 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 29

Southport (5084 Southport-Supply Rd SE, Southport) 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.

University Centre (354 College Rd, Wilmington) beginning at Noon

Monkey Junction (5110 College Rd, Wilmington) 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Anyone interested in purchasing a fan to donate to area seniors can come out to one of the above locations. Fans can be purchased at left at the store. The fans will be distributed to the senior centers in all five counties of the WECT viewing area which are New Hanover, Brunswick, Pender, Bladen and Columbus Counties. Last year, more than 1,500 fans were collected.

Once again this year, Lowe’s Home Improvement is donating $2,500 to Fran’s Fans. Last year, more than 1,500 fans were collected.

Copyright 2022 WECT. All rights reserved.

Copyright 2022 WECT. All rights reserved.

Frances Weller

Frances Weller

Frances Weller is a proud Wilmington native, award-winning journalist, and community advocate. She recently celebrated 40 years at WECT and is a leader of the most trusted news team in Southeastern North Carolina. She began her journalism career at WECT not long after graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, joining the news team she grew up watching.