Beat The Heat

Its been a really hot one for them this summer in Memphis. Upwards of 105 and barely any respite.

So - one of the local Christian charities in the area has a program called Beat The Heat, where they have business donate air conditioners to give to people in need. Beth had asked me on Thursday if I wouldn't mind going with them and passing out some of these air conditioners as their church had called for volunteers. Beth and Joel like to involve their kids in these projects so they can see how others need help and how they need to give back, etc. I couldn't say no -- even though I was later informed that we had to leave the house at 7:30 :0! It was definitely worth it, though, and it was a great way to spend time with the Kaye family in giving to those in need.

We picked up 5 airconditioners from this warehouse in downtown Memphis and then were provided with a list of 5 different people to deliver the units to.

The volunteers at the warehouse consisted of all these different ages and races, but all of them with their sweet southern twang and their polite graces. They loaded up Joel's car and we set out to share the air with Memphis!

The kids had great attitudes for having to get up so early and drive around for a few hours (actually didn't even take that long). I was impressed.
Beth and Payton took turns with Parker and I going in with Joel to help deliver these air conditioners. Most of the recipients were older people and the areas they lived in were the stereotypical bad neighborhoods you see in those John Grisham southern movies. Pretty sad and run down and dirty. You felt bad for these older people who were trying to keep their homes fairly tidy and everything else around them was in ruins.