PINEVILLE, La. - Cleco's 10th annual fan drive will make staying cooler a bit easier as the company prepares to distribute more than 1,150 fans to local agencies serving the elderly.

"I can't say thank you enough to Cleco employees and to our local communities for stepping up and making this year's fan drive such a success," said, Anthony Bunting, vice president of customer service and energy delivery. "Working together, we are helping the elderly stay cooler manage their electric bills this summer."

Cleco will donate at least 50 fans to each of the 20 councils on aging and other social service agencies throughout its service territory. The fan drive began in early April and wrapped up at the end of May. Fans go to local customers who request assistance through parish councils on aging.

"As the summer months heat up, we use more electricity," Bunting said. "Air conditioning and heating account for nearly 50 percent of a home's power use. Fans can make the air feel up to 10 degrees cooler and help keep electric bills in check."

According to Bunting, other ways to help control electric bills are to keep thermostats set on 78 degrees and to run heat-generating appliances in the evening.

Senior citizens in need of a fan should contact an agency in their area listed below:

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:

Acadia Council on Aging in Crowley
Allen Council on Aging in Oakdale
Avoyelles Council on Aging in Marksville
Beauregard Council on Aging in DeRidder
Calcasieu Council on Aging in DeQuincy
DeSoto Council on Aging in Mansfield
Evangeline Council on Aging in Ville Platte
Eunice Food Bank in Eunice 
Grant Council on Aging in Colfax
Iberia Council on Aging in New Iberia
Natchitoches Council on Aging in Natchitoches
Rapides Council on Aging in Alexandria
Rapides Senior Center in Pineville
Red River Council on Aging in Coushatta
Sabine Council on Aging in Many
St. Landry Council on Aging in Opelousas
St. Martin Council on Aging in Breaux Bridge
St. Mary Council on Aging in Franklin
St. Tammany Council on Aging in Covington
Vernon Council on Aging in Leesville