The Greatest Gift: Air Conditioning

Getting through a hot summer can be really hard without air conditioning, especially when you live in Houston, Texas. Hundreds of people die each year from the heat, it is a danger that many of us overlook. But this year the Houston Rockets are trying to do something about it. They have raised money to donate 100 air conditioners to needy families in Houston. Check out this article from the Houston Chronicle:

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Rockets are donating 100 air-conditioning units to needy homes in the city, where the temperature has hovered around 100 degrees for most of the summer.

Rockets chief executive officer Tad Brown and former Rocket Clyde Drexler helped install the first unit on Tuesday afternoon at the home of Dora Fannon, southeast of the city. Fannon says her air conditioner shut down in April.

The Rockets are teaming with Sheltering Arms Senior Services to distribute the units in various parts of the city. Brown says they should all be installed and running by the end of this week.

"We identified the people who were in the highest priority need," Brown said. "We take for granted sometimes, the general conveniences that we have."

The National Weather Service said Tuesday that the official temperature in the city hit 100 degrees for the 40th time this year. The previous record was 32.

Brown said a staff member suggested the air-conditioning initiative, and team owner Leslie Alexander liked the idea.

"He always wants to make sure that the Rockets are out there, and we're doing the right thing by the community," Brown said. "Anybody who's been going through the oppressive heat, this is something that we really know will make a difference in people's lives."

Sheltering Arms, a United Way agency, is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health and well-being of older adults and their caregivers.