Even though I have lived in Texas since I was 8 years old, the extreme heat of the summer never fails to shock me. And it feels like every year it is hotter than the last. But while it is absolutely unbearable outside, most of us are fortunate enough to escape the heat by staying cool in our homes, offices, and even in our cars.
Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky.
Helping Vulnerable Populations
The scorching temperatures that come with the summer season in Texas are dangerous for vulnerable individuals and communities like the elderly, chronically ill, and those experiencing homelessness. Volunteering and offering assistance in whatever way you can makes a meaningful difference in helping your community navigate through the challenges posed by extreme heat.
Local organizations in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and beyond are working hard to help vulnerable populations during the summer months. In fact, Tarrant County is one of the top 10 Texas Counties with the most heat related deaths (1999-2022).
Here are 5 ways you can lend a helping hand to those who need it this summer:
1. United Way of Tarrant County: Beat the Heat Campaign
The United Way of Tarrant County has worked to improve the lives of those in our communities since 1922. They have no fees on donor designations, with 100 percent of the donation going to the selected agency or cause.
Join them to help protect vulnerable populations against dangerous temperatures through donating to their air conditioner unit drive and fundraiser.
They are having a “Beat the Heat Campaign“, from June 21 – September 30, 2023. With this campaign they will be collecting 100 AC units to help older adults and disabled individuals without sufficient access to air conditioning keep cool and prevent serious illness during the hot summer months.
You can support them by:
- Giving money to purchase new AC/heating units
- Visiting their Amazon and Walmart wish lists to purchase units
- Donating new and gently used small AC units at their collection sites in Fort Worth and Grapevine
2. Under My Umbrella (UMU)
This grassroots initiative by 2 youth founders and their mom in Allen, TX takes helping the community to heart. They engage and mobilize the community to directly provide outreach to help cover those in need. Since they do not have any overhead costs, ALL donations go directly to those who need them!
During the current heat wave, Under My Umbrella has made frequent rounds to distribute food, cold drinks, and necessary supplies to those experiencing homelessness. Sometimes they will go and check on their houseless neighbors and just do a hydration drop!
An often overlooked but critical need in the summer months is insect repellent to protect those experiencing homelessness. Other much needed items include underwear and bath wipes.
Under My umbrella
You can assist them to deliver crucial items to those who desperately need them by contributing to their:
- Amazon Wishlist
- Walmart Neighborhood Outreach List
- Rainy Day Fund, which serves to fill in small, specific needs to provide a little help and kindness.
To learn more about this small nonprofit that is making a big difference, visit their Charity Snapshot on our website!
3. The Senior Source
This organization’s website lists that their mission is “to enhance the quality of life of older adults in Dallas”. In the summer, they take this one step further by giving away free air conditioners and by organizing their “Beat the Heat” event on July 15, 2023.
At this event, seniors without a source of cool air get a free air conditioner and also get connected with other community resources.
Each air conditioner unit costs $250. You can help a senior stay cool by donating towards this fund here:
The Senior Source Beat the Heat Campaign 2023
4. Meals on Wheels
Did you know that in addition to a hot meal, Meals on Wheels delivers critical items to their clients in need? In the summer, this may include tower or box fans and extra water bottles to keep on hand so that their clients stay hydrated.
Meals On Wheels Tarrant County is in need of tower and box fans. To help them keep these essential items in stock, you can donate via their website or drop off fans to: 5740 Airport Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76117.
Meals on Wheels Collin County is in need of single use water bottles that they can distribute readily to their clients in the heat. You can send them needed items straight from their Amazon wishlist for their Senior Safety Net program. In addition, you can drop off single use water bottles to their office or ship them to: 600 N. Tennessee St., McKinney, TX 75069.
Many other Meals on Wheels locations have similar seasonal programs. Find your local Meals on Wheels Program to see if they offer assistance to help their clients in the summer months.
5. Keep Snacks and Hydration with You to Distribute
When we see someone out on the street, we frequently don’t know the best way to help them. Many times it is at a stop sign or a red light, and there is not much time to think about what to give other than money.
Planning ahead and being prepared to help someone, especially when it is brutally hot, can make a big difference to that person. And it takes only a minimal effort on our part.
Christina Cheng-Patel, co-founder of Under My Umbrella (UMU) suggests keeping some shelf stable snacks and hydration in your car for those who may need it as you go about your day. Her suggestion is to freeze one bottle of water and refrigerate one bottle. Then, if you find someone in need, they can use the frozen water bottle to cool down, and the refrigerated water bottle to hydrate. What a fantastic idea!
In fact, why not get together with friends or family to prepare bags of non-perishable items that can be handed out? This can be a fun activity for the kids during the summer months while also making a big impact in the community.
Giving back to the Community Makes a Difference
As temperatures rise, it is important to come together and support each other in staying safe and healthy. If we can’t imagine being outside or in an overheated home for more than a few minutes, how do those that do not have a choice deal with it?
Let’s all do our part and offer assistance to make a significant difference in helping our community during this dangerous heat. What will you be doing to help the vulnerable this summer?
