TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Heat can be a killer for people with health problems---especially if they can't afford to fix broken evaporative coolers. A community organization helps low income people with repairs and replacements, but that group needs many more volunteers to keep up with the work.
When it's this hot, the work starts early for workers at Community Home Repair of Arizona. The charity does all sorts of home repair for people who meet low income guidelines but this time of year they are especially slammed with demand to repair or replace broken evaporative coolers.
Bruce Hoeflinger says his cooler broke four years ago. He's grateful this help rescues him from another summer fighting for ways to hide from the heat.
"I was going over to my daughter's or going to a shopping center somewhere where I could go into their cool air but I don't have to do that anymore."
But there's so much need Community Home Repair is scrambling to get the jobs done. The organization is hoping for more volunteers to join in the repairs.
Ken Roth says you don't need advanced expertise, just a little aptitude and a heart ready to help.
"I Just moved here. I volunteered the first month of March, the first couple weeks of March and it just felt right. It was something that I was meant to do."
Bruce Hoeflinger says before he was hurt he used to do cooler work. A back injury means he can only go up a ladder once in a long while but he was eager to go on the roof to see his new cooler then come inside to feel it.
Oh yeah,” he said as the cool air flowed. ”Oh it's really lovely,” he laughed.
If you can help, or would like to donate towards repairs call 520-745-2055
