The Selma-Dallas County Youth Ambassadors are fans of the elderly.

Each year, the group organizes a summer project to help keep elderly and needy families cool during summer months. The program, officially titled “Be a Fan of the Elderly,” asks locals to donate box fans to help with summertime heat.

Ward 7 councilwoman Bennie Ruth Crenshaw said she started the program several years ago after providing meals to the elderly.

“I started to notice that when I would go into the homes it would be so steaming hot,” Crenshaw said. “So many elderly people do not turn on the air conditioning because of the high cost of electricity. I just felt like it was a critical issue that needed to be addressed.”

Families are also a targeted population for the program, as many poor families may also be unable to pay for electrical bills.

Crenshaw, who is also the ambassador advisor, said she tries to reach a goal of 60 box fans donated before giving them to local residents.

She often tries to give elderly residents more than one fan because of the heat. The program runs through the second week in June, Crenshaw said. Donations can made by calling the Selma City Council’s office.

She said Selma residents who know someone in need could also call the council office to add their name to a list.

But Crenshaw said donating a box fan is just one step.

“I would ask all people of Selma, in their neighborhood, please check on the elderly,” she said. “Just knock on the door and ask about how they are doing.”