Senior citizens congregated at the United Way in Rincon on Wednesday to receive free fans as part of the organization’s annual fan giveaway.

Effingham County Service Center director Bonnie Dixon said they had 390 electric box fans, which were paid for by Georgia Power, to hand out.

Income-qualifying seniors were able to get a fan between 9-11 a.m. and Brown Bag recipients who did not make it on Wednesday are able to pick one up from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday until the cold weather arrives.

“We’ve been able to do it for several years,” Dixon said.

It originally began as a loan where seniors were loaned fans in May and had to return them in November.

Eloise Smart was in line to get a fan for her mother, who doesn’t have an air conditioner or a fan. She had been using a single fan to cool her home, but it stopped working.

However, the giveaway is not just for those seniors who lack air conditioning. It’s also designed for those who refuse to turn on their units for fear of high utility bills.

Dixon recalled one elderly woman who was living in a home with stifling heat, despite having a window unit in her bedroom.

“We see it quite often,” she said.

Nora Overstreet has an air conditioner but will use her new fan in her bedroom. She found out about the fan giveaway on Wednesday and she’s sure it will help.

“Oh yes, very much,” she acknowledged.

It is the organization’s desire that seniors will at least use the fans if nothing else, so that they may get some relief.

Energy saving tips from Georgia Power
• Keep temperature set at 78 degrees
• Change filters from every month to every three months
• Seal all gaps in ductwork
• Make sure caulk and weather stripping around doors and windows are in good shape
• Seal around plumbing and wiring with expanding foam or caulk
• Do household chores like cooking and laundry in the mornings and evenings
• Keep plants and bushes away from outside air conditioning units
• Use ceiling fans