The weather forecast for north Louisiana this summer predicts that excessive heat will blanket the area. That normally brings a cause for concern, especially for low income senior citizens but thanks to the generosity of a non-profit organization, close to 30 residents who are at least 65 years old and is a home owner in Jackson Parish will get to enjoy the summer in cool comfort.
On Saturday, James Joseph, the director of Big Brown Reaching Back Organization out of Baton Rouge met with community volunteers at the Jonesboro City Hall to distribute air conditioner window units to the elderly of the Jackson Parish in need.
Assisting in the organization and distribution of the A/C units was Jonesboro Mayor James “Spike” Harris, Pine Belt Community Action Center Director Conchita Doyle, and former Jonesboro Mayor James Bradford. Pardue Builders in Jonesboro also played a vital role by donating all set up equipment and supplies.
The distribution is part of an ongoing outreach program started by Joseph, a former member of the world renowned Harlem Globetrotters, in 2009 which has now seen more than 24,000 A/C units placed across the state.
“It all started when I was delivering a package to an elderly person in Lettsworth, LA,” said Joseph who works for UPS, thus the “Big Brown” moniker. “It was a really hot day and the old couple was sitting outside on their porch, as there was no air conditioning unit in their home. It gave me the idea that something should be done to help older people from suffering in the heat so I started having fundraisers and reaching out to organizations and companies for donations.”
The way residents of Jackson Parish became beneficiaries of the “very cool” (pardon the pun) outreach program was when Bradford came in contact with Joseph while he was doing work at Grambling State University. After learning about the benevolent program, Bradford then contacted Doyle and Mayor Harris, who got with Joseph and set a date for delivery of the A/C units.
“It was a matter of being in the right place at the right time,” said Bradford who spends much of his time with local civic concerns. “I am really happy that I was able to get the ball rolling to help our seniors be able to cope with the coming hot days,” said Bradford, who spends much of his time with local civic concerns.
Jonesboro Mayor Harris and Pine Belt Director Doyle echoed those sentiments.
“It seems each summer gets hotter and hotter,” said Harris. “It has gotten to the point that a home without air conditioning is a dangerous place for elderly people. I am very thankful for Joseph and “Big Brown” as they have made a real difference for our elderly.”
“Last year we assisted in getting fans donated to our elderly, which helped some but really was only a band aid to the problem of dealing with the heat of the summer,” said Doyle. “I am so grateful that this summer we are in the position thanks to “Big Brown” to really do some good for our seniors.”