By Kathy Chaffin
Salisbury Post
The Youth Missionary Department at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church is soliciting donations of electric fans to distribute to low-income senior citizens.
The youth are sending a plea to local businesses and community residents to donate fans for the mission project, called “Fans for Friends.” The Rev. Dr. Nilous Avery, pastor at the church, said this is the third year Mount Zion has collected fans for seniors.About three years ago, the church collected 35. “We were able to distribute all of them,” he said. “Then last year, we collected a smaller amount and got those out.
“We’ve had good response in terms of donations of fans and getting them out to people.”
With the recent record-breaking high temperatures, Avery said one or two people had already stopped by the church to see if there were any extra fans.
“That kind of spurred the idea,” he said. “Our youth are always looking for ways to help the community because we follow the motto, ‘A passion for God and compassion for people.’ ”
Avery said some senior citizens with air conditioning don’t turn it on “because sometimes the air can be too cold for their bodies and they’ll sit in the heat and not realize that it’s too hot.”
Others simply can’t afford to buy electric fans. “And sometimes they’re too proud and don’t ask for help,” he said, “so we try to get them to the people at no charge.”
Businesses and/or individuals who wish to donate fans may drop them off at the church at 1920 Shirley Ave. (turn onto Clancey Street from Jake Alexander Boulevard, follow the road to the end and turn right) on Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Donated fans will be turned over to the Rowan County Department of Social Services, the Rowan County Homeless Shelter and Rufty-Holmes Senior Center for distribution to needy seniors.
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization, and all donations are tax deductible. The Rev. Dr. Nilous Avery is pastor of the church.
For more information, contact the church at 704-637-0954.
Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249 or kchaffin@salisburypost.com.