Fan the Heat

Learn about how you can help out this year...

The generosity of Columbia residents enables the Columbia Police Department to reach out to those in need, donating fans and air conditioners during the Fan the Heat program. Police accept donated fans and air conditioners throughout the year, but focus more on the program between June and September. Those who benefit include Columbia’s seniors, children living with physical challenges and residents with chronic diseases.  Instead of suffering during the sweltering heat, the residents can relax in their homes, feeling the breeze from a fan or air conditioner. Fan the Heat is one of the coolest services the Columbia Police Department offers.

Columbia siblings raise, donate money for Fan the Heat (2007) 

A Columbia brother and sister bought an air conditioner and two fans for the Columbia Police Department’s Fan the Heat program by using money they had received as gifts and from odd jobs.

Catherine Smith, 13, and Cannon Smith, 11, recently learned about the program from their godparents, Walter and Ellen Hayden of Columbia. The Smith siblings, who attend The Hammond School, thought raising money for the program it would be a great way to help out fellow residents in their community. “That sounds like fun,” Catherine Smith said. “Operation Heat” was born.

Catherine and Cannon, children of William and Elizabeth Smith, pooled their Christmas and birthday money with cash they received from doing odd jobs like babysitting, filing and washing cars. The Haydens helped the Smiths choose a window air conditioning unit and fans.

Catherine and Cannon said they are not through with their project. They are planning to open a small store where they will sell an assortment of items including books, toys, a bicycle, sporting equipment and shark’s teeth.

“When we get to see young people like you, … it makes our hearts grow and makes us believe in people again,” Columbia Police Chief Dean Crisp told the Smiths as their mother and the Haydens looked on.

Fan the Heat is a program designed to help Columbia’s seniors and families who have children living with physical challenges. Police accept donated fans and air conditioners throughout the year, but focus more on the program between June and September.

Those who wish to donate fans or air conditioners or make a monetary donation can call Columbia police at 545-3555 or Capt. E.T. Young at 749-5831.

Raising money for Fan the Heat is cool, Dent students say (2007)

Along with studying math and geography this school year, students at Dent Middle School have learned another important lesson – one in giving. The students, who raised $268 for the Columbia Police Department’s Fan the Heat program, presented a check to Columbia police Capt. Estelle Young and Sgt. Danita Speaks-Scott during a special ceremony today at the school.

Students in the Two Academies program decided to raise the money after talking to math teacher Sandra Allison. They created vibrant posters with the theme “Carolina Is Cool in Caring.” They also made collection boxes, encouraging their fellow students to give.

“We’re proud of them,” Principal Randall Gary said during the ceremony. “We think it’s outstanding.”

Police will use the money to purchase air conditioners and fans for Fan the Heat, a program designed to help cool Columbia’s seniors and families who have children living with physical challenges. Police accept donated fans and air conditioners throughout the year, but focus more on the program between June and September.

Those who wish to donate fans or air conditioners or make a monetary donation can call Columbia police at 545-3555 or Capt. E.T. Young at 749-5831.

(Click Photos to Enlarge)

Shop With a Cop

Each December, Columbia police make wishes come true for a select group of Columbia children by taking them Christmas shopping. Bursting with energy and excitement, the children take to the aisles at Wal-Mart during the annual Shop With a Cop program. Each child can buy $50 worth of Christmas gifts, thanks to Wal-Mart’s generosity. The children dart from one department to the next, clutching the new clothing, shoes and toys they will take home with them. As the shopping spree winds down, the children head home, their arms overflowing with gifts. Columbia police officers look on in delight, anticipating next year when they can spread the joy all over again.

Gun Buy-Back

Citizens can make money and help take guns off the street during the Columbia Police Department’s Gun Buy-Back. During this event, residents can give their guns to police and receive cash in return. There are no questions asked and no forms to fill out. Each weapon is checked by a department armorer and cleared through NCIC before being turned in to the property room for disposal.