The City of Atlanta announced that the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services and Atlanta Fire Rescue Department are partnering with SCANA Energy to offer cooling relief to Atlanta seniors. For the 16th consecutive year, SCANA Energy will donate thousands of fans and air-conditioning units for distribution to low-income, elderly residents during an event on Monday, July 24 at Adamsville Recreation Center, 3201 M.L. King Jr. Drive SW, from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The giveaway event will be hosted by First Lady Sarah-Elizabeth Reed, Constituent Services Commissioner Andrea Boone, Fire Chief Joel Baker and Atlanta City Councilmember C.T. Martin.

“My Administration is committed to working with partners to offer resources to our Atlanta seniors that will ensure an enhanced quality of life,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “The City of Atlanta values our 16-year partnership with SCANA Energy. Their donation of new fans and air-conditioning units will keep vulnerable residents comfortable during this hot summer season.”

Atlanta’s summertime temperatures make fan giveaways especially important. Elderly people, age 55 and older, are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses for the following reasons:

• Elderly people do not adjust to sudden changes in temperature;

• Elderly people are more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes normal body responses to heat; and

• Elderly people are more likely to take prescription medications that inhibit perspiration or impair the body's ability to regulate its temperature.

“SCANA Energy is proud and honored to continue our longstanding partnership with Mayor Kasim Reed, the City of Atlanta and the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department,” said George Devlin, Vice President and General Manager of SCANA Energy. “We are pleased to provide critical cooling relief through our donation again this year to low-income, elderly residents of Atlanta. Due to the growing demand from our senior citizens in need, we are pleased to increase our donation and provide additional fans and air-conditioning units to our most vulnerable senior citizens.”