PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Two weeks after asking the public for donations of air conditioners, fans, or money to help keep seniors cool in extreme heat, the head of Community Aging & Retirement Services – or CARES – called the community's response "overwhelming."

"We got an outpouring of caring people that came through and called us, showed up at our facilities," said CARES President & CEO Jemith Rosa.

“It was a tremendous response,” said Enrichment Program Supervisor Mary Stahl. “The general consensus is that they were surprised at how many people did not have air conditioners or any type of fans, that they were in the heat without any assistance.”

Since then, Rosa said nearly two dozen fans and air conditioners were dropped off at CARES’s Dade City location and 14 were brought to their Hudson office. The agency also received $2,500 in financial donations, ranging from $5 to $500 from Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s new TC Charities fund. Farrell AC donated labor to repair and replace units, and Rosa said CARES also received assistance from Walmart and Home Depot.

“The most interesting part is that the donations are not only coming from Pasco County,” Rosa said. She listed Seminole, Manatee, Pinellas, and Hernando Counties as the homes of other donors.

“Not only that – our caregivers of our clients coming forward and also donating, just in support of our program, which has had a tremendous response,” said Stahl.

Pasco commissioners also discussed what help could come from the county level at last week’s board meeting. Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said a weatherization program, EHEAP, can help seniors with purchasing or repairing heating and cooling units. Starkey said between this and Mid-Florida Community Services’ weatherization program, she thinks all seniors in need can be served. Anyone interested in learning more about EHEAP can call (352) 521-5173, x 5406.

Rosa said CARES is still asking for assistance to serve the county’s seniors in need. At this point, she said financial donations will be more useful than actual units since the money can be used to meet seniors’ specific needs. Donors can write “AC Donation” on their check or on a note included with cash donations.

Donations can be mailed to:

  • CARES Rao Musunuru M.D. Enrichment Center
  • 12417 Clock Tower Parkway
  • Hudson FL, 34667