Orlando Reed Foundation to hold fan drive

Outdoor temperatures are starting to rise and to help provide area residents respite from a sweltering South Arkansas summer, the Orlando D. Reed Sr. Foundation is conducting a "Beat the Heat: Let's Stay Cool" fan drive.

Organizers are collecting box and oscillating fans to "help those who need relief from the heat."

The drive and giveaway will be held from June 6 until July 11. Window air conditioners will also be accepted as donations.

"If someone has an AC unit they'd like to give away, we'll take that too to keep someone cool," organizer Orlando Reed Jr. said.

People who would like to donate fans, window air conditioners or cash may do so during the five-week period between June and July.

Monetary donations may be sent to the Cash App mobile payment service at $OreedSrFoundation or to the ORSF account that has been set up at First Financial Bank.

The bank account number is 0412511033 and donations may be made at any First Financial location.

Organizers said a donation of $25 is equivalent to one fan.

Residents who would like to sign up to receive a fan may do so between June 6 and July 11 by calling Reed Jr. at 214-779-1957 or Lorenzo Lostin at 832-817-4880.

Also, scan the QR code that appears on fliers promoting the giveaway or visit Reed Jr.'s Facebook page to sign up.

Priority will be given to senior citizens and low-income families, said Reed Jr.

He said the fan drive is an extension of community- service projects that the ODSF has planned as part of its mission to help improve the quality of life for El Dorado residents.

The foundation was created and named in honor of Reed Jr.'s father, who passed away last September after suffering a heart attack. Reed Sr. was 61.

The younger Reed has said that throughout his life, his father stressed the importance of giving back and led by example.

Reed Jr. recalled his father often putting him to work to what is best for the community, whether it was raking the yards of area senior citizens, ferrying them to doctors' appointments and errands or visiting local nursing homes/rehab facilities to pray with residents there.

Reed Sr. and friend Frank Mitchell started a Christmas Day community dinner nearly 17 years ago in the Fellowship Hall of St. John Baptist Missionary Baptist Church.

The dinner became an annual event and was eventually moved to The Fairview Community Development Association building, which is next to the church on Wilson Street.

The free dinner draws scores of people each year.

Last December, Reed Jr. took the reins of organizing the event, expanding it to "A Christmas Celebration" that not only included a community dinner with traditional holiday fare, but also a collection drive and giveaway for toys, clothes,toiletries and groceries in Mattocks Park.

Reed Jr. said the upcoming fan drive will help to carry on his father's legacy, adding that he came up with the idea in April as spring weather began to set in.

"We're hoping to collect at least 300 fans. We want to try to help, not only people in El Dorado, but also people in surrounding areas -- Camden, Magnolia, Strong, Junction City ...," Reed Jr. said.

If any fans are left after they are distributed in South Arkansas, organizers said they plan to expand their reach into North Louisiana, with hopes of helping at least 100 families in need in Arkansas's neighbor to the south.

Since the Christmas Celebration, the ODRSF has officially become a 501c3 nonprofit organization and Reed Jr. said he is chomping at the bit to do more for the community.

"We're working on setting up a Facebook page for the foundation," he said.

"I'm trying to get my (board of directors) together and getting our program and our future plans together to write grants to really be able to take care of the community," Reed Jr. continued. "We're looking to serve everybody and I've got really big ideas for a back-to-school giveaway."

Drop-off points for the fan drive are:

• Reed Sr.'s house at 302 S. Parkway.

• Reed Jr.'s aunt's house at 1204 E. Center.

• Victory Childcare Center, 308 Cordell Ave.

• City Hall, 204 N. West Ave., from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Monday - Friday.

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