Zeta Phi Beta Fan Drive Succeeding Amid Extreme Heat

(CAMBRIDGE, Md) – As the Eastern Shore continues to deal with more extreme heat, we meet back up with the women of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority. As their “Fan”-tastic drive in Dorchester County has helped to save more than a few lives.

When we met with Tavonya Chester in early July, she had only been able to get a few fans to help those suffering from the extreme heat.

As the temperature is hovering around the triple digits once again, she tells us about how their “Fan”-tastic drive has gone.

Tavonya tells us, “The fantastic drive has been a very big success. The community has really stepped up and have been donating fans and air conditioning to this initiative and we really appreciate everything that the community has done so overwhelmingly so.”

The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has been able to give out dozens of fans and air conditioning units to people in need.. including a couple of group homes.

And as the Health Department tells us, it’s been a lifesaver.

“The heat’s not stopping this month. Very important. Since 1999, the majority of deaths related to heat have been in the older age group,” says Dorchester Health Department Nurse, Hannah Mayhew.

With the extreme heat continuing to cause problems, the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority has been grateful to receive these donations to help others.

Elvira Johnson works for Dorchester County Social Services and she tells us, “It’s been so extremely hot. Some didn’t have singing or air conditioning, so it was really lifesaving to these customers that were able to receive the air, the air conditioner and the fan. Yeah. So it’s been a tremendous help too.”

Tavonya tells us they’re expecting more fans and air conditioning units to go out from the Department of Public Health building later on this week.