As Temperatures Heat Up, Cool Down St. Louis Gets Ready for Annual Weekend Fundraiser at Busch Stadium
On Friday, August 10, Saturday, August 11, and Sunday, August 12, Cool Down St. Louis, a regional, all-volunteer, not-for-profit cooling charity providing air-conditioners and paying electric bills for the elderly, disabled and needy households with small children, is having its annual “Shake Our Cans and Cool Down the Needy” fundraiser in partnership with the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
In addition, all weekend proceeds from the sale of Hardee’s soft drinks at their stadium concessions will also be donated to the charity, a great way for Red Bird fans to stay cool and help the needy at the same time. This summer, Cardinals fans and the general public will also be able to drop off donations at a new CITI’s Cool Down Hospitality mini-tent located near Gate 2 at Busch. Cards player Scott Speizio is this year’s honorary chair. 100% of all Cool Down St. Louis donations service the needy, as operational expenses are underwritten by the board.
About 100 Volunteers will be wearing yellow caps, donated by CITI, with Cool Down St. Louis logo printed on front, and they will collect the donations in yellow or red buckets, two hours before each game. Cool Down St. Louis volunteers, including media, civic leaders, firefighters and some of its networking social service and community action agencies, will be stationed at all six (6) Busch Stadium gates, around the ballpark, including garages and Metro station exits.
“As the weather heat-ups, Missouri and Illinois residents need to check on their neighbors,” said Kevin McGowan, newly elected president of the board of directors for Cool Down St. Louis. “Hot weather can literally zap the life right out of many elderly and disabled people, and small critically-ill infants, so we shouldn’t let our guard down and think that no one needs help on their electric bills or with getting an air-conditioner.”
Several weeks ago, Cool Down St. Louis distributed it last brand-new and used air-conditioners. In addition, $10,000 in donations have already been distributed to its social service partners to help seniors and the disabled with their summer electricity bills.
Tax-deductible donations may also be sent to: Cool Down St. Louis, c/o UMB Bank, P.O. Box 868, St. Louis, MO 63188, or credit cards can be used through the charity’s secured website at www.cooldownstlouis.org. Also the general public can drop by any donation to any cashier at a UMB Bank Center in Missouri or Illinois. People wanting to donate new and used-working air conditioners, may do so my calling 314-241-7668.