WEST PLAINS, Mo. – West Plains Elks Lodge #2418 has donated a load of fans to Ozark
Action Inc. to help people stay cool next summer.
The Elks held a fan drive from the end of June through July 7 to collect box fans for veterans, the elderly, and the disabled. After their distribution, the remaining 24 fans were given to Ozark Action on August 27.
“We cannot express the immense gratitude we have for the Elks Lodge and our other community partners that help us in our mission of meeting the needs of community members to improve their quality of life,” said OAI Executive Director Terry Sanders. “We’re thankful to have such wonderful community partners and support.”
These fans donated by the Elks Lodge will help supplement next year’s Fan Drive, which is held in conjunction with the Salvation Army and Westlake Ace Hardware in West Plains.
Ozark Action, Inc. is a non-profit Community Action Agency serving the counties of Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Texas, and Wright in South-Central Missouri. It was founded in 1965. The mission of OAI is to coordinate and provide services for people with needs so that they can improve their quality of life.
Several programs that help low-income residents are housed under the OAI umbrella including the Community Services department, which helps with homeless outreach, utility assistance, and the local Salvation Army; area Head Start programs; Workforce, which offers services including job placement, training, workshops, and other career-related opportunities; the area Weatherization program, which offers home improvements and insulation to help low-income resident save money on their utilities; and the area Housing Choice Voucher program, formerly known as the Section 8 program, which provides rental assistance to area residents. For more information on Ozark Action and their other services, or to apply for Head Start, visit www.oaiwp.org.
West Plains Elks Lodge #2418, a branch of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, seeks to improve communities though a variety of volunteer activities and charitable initiatives. The Elks meet the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 pm at the lodge at 3633 N. Highway 63 in West Plains. More information on the group can be found at www.wpelks.com.
