Westlake Ace Hardware collecting donations for Fan Drive 

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- An annual fan drive created to provide relief in the summer heat to those in need is entering the final stretch.

Westlake Ace Hardware partnered with The Salvation Army to encourage patrons to donate in store or online.

"It gets hotter in the summer, and as we know, it gets that way here in Missouri," General Manager Mark Sidwell said. "Ace is always looking for ways to help the community around them."

All donations made by rounding up a purchase at checkout or donating through the website will be used to purchase fans. The Fan Drive runs through June 7.

"With the rising prices of everything, some families just aren't able to afford air conditioning or even fans," Salvation Army Social Services Director Emily Bravo said. "And so our hope is that we can get a couple of fans in everyone's homes so that they can stay cool and safe."

Sidwell said his employees are always eager to participate in the Fan Drive and other community initiatives like Children’s Miracle Network.

"They get behind it, and they ask every customer, and we've been having a good response this year so far," he said.

About 110 families received fans last year, and Bravo said she would like to see the number increase to 150.

A start date for the fan distribution is not available yet, but it will be announced on the St. Joseph Salvation Army Facebook page. Residents will need proof of residency and identification to pick up a fan.

"We're hoping, in the month of June, that can kind of be our focus (for) fan distribution," Bravo said.

Anyone interested in donating to the Fan Drive can visit westlakehardware.com/fan-drive.