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Outside Sharon Walker's West Columbia home Thursday it's 91 degrees. Inside, with no air conditioning, it's 85 degrees and rising.

"It is steaming hot," says Sharon Walker.

But help has just arrived. It's all part of the West Columbia Police Department's fan the heat program.

"We try to stick to the elderly and people who have young kids who are really stressing their financial levels right now," says Sgt. John Norman, West Columbia Police Department.

Norman heads the program, which provides donated fans and air conditioning units to folks who need them. He's worried Friday and Saturday's forecasted triple digit heat could be the prelude to a deadly summer.

"We have a lot of people who don't realize how much the heat affects the young and the elderly until sometimes it's too late," says Norman.

Walker is one of more than a hundred people receiving help this year. Last year, the WCPD gave away more than 100 fans.

"I really appreciate what they're doing for the community," says Walker.

But the police still need more good a-c units and donations for this summer.

Sergeant Norman reminds folks who need help that Walker simply asked for it.

"Don't be prideful. Call us if you need help," says Norman.

If you'd like to donate a good, working fan or air conditioning unit, bring it to the West Columbia Police Department. If you'd like to make a donation, make checks out to the West Columbia Police Officers Foundation. If you'd like to receive a fan or air conditioning unit Sgt. Norman at call 803-794-0721 ext. 280.