Red Cross, Westar to help keep residents cooler

The Bourbon County Chapter of the American Red Cross plans to help several local residents stay cooler this summer.

Chapter officials recently announced that the Westar Energy Fan Program will once again be available to qualifying families and individuals in Bourbon County. The program provides free fans -- which are donated by the program's sponsor, Westar Energy -- that will be disbursed to eligible individuals and families who meet certain qualifications.

Bourbon County Red Cross Executive Director Whendi Martin said local residents who are at least 60 years of age, meet certain income guidelines, and/or receive some type of Social Security Disability Insurance will qualify for the program. Eligible applicants may receive one fan per household.

According to written information provided by Martin, those people who qualify for the program include; a one-person household with an annual gross income of less than $10,241 and monthly income of less than $854; a two-person household with a combined annual gross income of less than $13,379 and monthly gross income of less than $1,145; a three-person household with a combined annual gross income of less than $17,237 or monthly gross income of less than $1,437; a four-person household with a combined annual gross income of less than $20,735 or monthly gross income of less than $1,728; a five-person household with a combined annual gross income of less than $24,233 or monthly gross income of less than $2,020; a six-person household with a combined annual gross income of less than $27,731 or monthly gross income of less than $2,311; a seven-person household with a combined annual gross income of less than $31,229 or monthly gross income of less than $2,603; or an eight-person household with a combined annual gross income of less than $34,727 or monthly gross income of less than $2,894.

For households with more than eight members, each additional member must earn an annual income of less than $3,498 or monthly income of $292 to be eligible for the program, the information from Martin said.

Qualifying individuals or families may apply in person at the Bourbon County American Red Cross Office, 116 S. Main St., between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday. Those interested in applying must be prepared to provide proof of income -- such as a paycheck stub or Social Security statement -- and proof of residency -- such as a current utility bill or driver's license -- when requesting an application, Martin said.

Fan supplies are limited and fans are disbursed based on qualification guidelines. The local Red Cross office currently has 27 fans available, Martin said.

"We don't have the number of fans and the need is great," she said.

Applicants who have received a fan the last two years -- 2007 or 2008 -- through the program will not be eligible to receive a fan this year and their request will be denied.

Fans will be available starting Wednesday at the Bourbon County American Red Cross Office. For more information, visit the office or call (620) 223-0980.