Part of the neighborhood, part of the community…that’s who we are.

Over 150 people in need received a free fan today courtesy of Westar Energy and the Salvation Army.

Brad Kessel, Manhattan Director of Division Operations for Westar, said that after today 460 fans will have been distributed in the immediate region.

“In Junction City, we have 165 fans; we’ve already done Manhattan, Wamego, and Marysville,” said Kessel. “[Westar] kind of ramped it up this year; across our company it’s 4,600 fans being given out this year which is substantially more than we’ve done in the past.”

The fan distribution is an annual community outreach for Westar Energy.

“[We] think it’s important that we can help our customers however we can, whether it’s trying to help them with their bills or providing these fans to them,” said Kessel. “We want to be part of the neighborhood, part of the community – because that’s who we are.”

Mary Scott, Senior Field Consultant for Service Extension for Salvation Army, said the heat is a big concern this time of year.

“Westar reached out to partner with the Salvation Army; today our target is the disabled, the elderly – we’re targeting families with children and anyone that really has a need,” said Scott. “We really just want to keep everyone safe during those summer days.

The fan distribution is from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm outside the Geary County DMV at 139 E 8th Street in Junction City.