Several organizations have partnered to provide fans to senior citizens and low-income families in the community.
Pam Robinson, director of Bryan County United Way, said Bomgaars store first provided 88 fans at a discount.
She came back to Bomgaars a second time and worked out a deal with store manager Melissa Landers for another 50 fans for a total of 138.
Landers said Bomgaars wants to provide services to the community.
“We want to be connected and involved and Miss Pam from United Way came to me and we decided to help them out since they were generously helping out the veterans and the seniors of our community and that way, we can help out more people and get our name out there and let them know about Bomgaars is here and we’re here to help and we’re a community based program,” Landers said.
Robinson said others also have donated fans.
“I had individuals just come in and give me one fan,” Robinson said. “I think that’s so sweet. If that’s all they can do, that’s what they do. So, it’s been really helpful.”
Shaina Bowen is the new board chair for United Way and Robinson is excited to have her.
“Because I struggle so much,” Robinson said. “During COVID, people threw money at us. When all that ended, the money quit flowing, so it’s very difficult to raise funds and I didn’t know if we were going to be successful at all this year but because of Bomgaars, we are standing proud.”
Bowen said that every summer for a while now, United Way has been able to provide fans throughout the summer.
“This event is really special because I think there’s a lot of people in the community that we don’t even realize that either doesn’t have electricity or don’t have heat and air,” Bowen said. “So, this really helps all of the people in the community that’s struggled during the summers to stay cool.
“This is something that we’re excited that United Way is able to do a little and we’re really thankful for all of the donations that different companies and individuals have given and thankful for Bomgaars that we were able to get these fans at a discounted price and we’re also thankful to OG&E and everyone else that bought fans and donated fans.”
OG&E said in a news release that to help keep residents safe and cool in the heat, they recently donated fans to seniors and families with low-income in the Durant area. Dozens of OG&E volunteers gave out 115 fans to those who may be at higher risk for heat-related injury and illness. To help fans reach customers who need them the most, OG&E partnered with local nonprofit organizations that serve these vulnerable populations, including Bryan County United Way and Our Neighbors Cupboard Food Pantry.
“It means a lot to collaborate with local organizations that care deeply about the well-being of our neighbors in Durant,” Robert Holliday, community affairs manager at OG&E said, in a news release. “Having a fan during an Oklahoma summer can make a real difference for seniors and families facing extreme heat.”
OG&E said fans are a simple yet effective way to provide relief from high temperatures and humidity. Additionally, fans help conserve energy, which in turn saves customers money on their bills. In total, OG&E is donating 1,800 fans to residents in Oklahoma and Arkansas.
“Summer can be a dangerous time for some of our vulnerable neighbors like seniors and families with low income,”Amber Wooley, Director at Our Neighbors Cupboard Food Pantry said, in a news release. “We’re grateful to partner with OG&E to help support residents in our community.”
According to OG&E, two generous partners, Skyline and C-Line Services, Inc., helped make this year’s fan donations possible. Skyline donated $7,500 to offset the costs of fans while C-Line Services, Inc. transported the fans.
This is the 19th year that OG&E is donating fans to community members in need. Since its inception in 2006, OG&E’s fan donation program has provided more than 22,600 fans to residents across its service area.
OG&E said another way they help customers stay safe during the hottest months of the year is by partnering with local libraries, churches, senior centers and other locations to open Cool Zones across its service area. Cool Zones provide heat-wary residents a place to go and escape the heat during the hottest times of the day. A list of the 2025 Cool Zones is available at oge.com/coolzones.
Robinson said that the United Way office is closed on Fridays except when there are board members.
“So, I have Big Five Community Action Agency,” Robinson said. “I’m on their board and they’re one of the agencies that we support and so on Fridays, I make sure they’ve got at least 20 fans. If you need a fan and United Way is closed, they can go to Big Five Community Action.”
Big Five is located at 1502 N. First Ave. in Durant.
