Helping Out During Hot Weather

Video

Enlarge Video

Download Video

Video RSS

Embed:

WKRG.com Related Resources

More –› Related Articles

Data –› Worst Nursing Homes

Discuss this in the forum

By Debbie Williams Reporter

M50o93H7pQ09L8X1t49cHY01Z5j4TT91fGfr Helping Out During Hot Weather

Published: Wed, August 22, 2007 - 4:16 pm

Debbie Williams

The heat is back and it’s brutal. The National Weather Service issued another heat advisory Wednesday. According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, 12 people have died this month alone from heat related illnesses. Another 352 people have gone to the emergency room and 78 of those have been admitted for things like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. In Baldwin County 20 people have gone to the hospital, in Mobile County, eight. One Baldwin County couple is doing their part to keep those numbers as low as possible. Every Wednesday, Jack and Louise Taylor load up their truck and head down the road. Along their way, they make a dozen or so stops delivering Meals on Wheels. "Sometimes it's the only contact they have all day," says Louise. Jack agrees, "They enjoy seeing somebody, you hold their hand say a blessing that's what's great." They enter each home with a familiar greeting and sometimes a kiss on the cheek. Then Jack takes their hand says a prayer and wishes them good day. But it’s not just about delivering food and a prayer, with temperatures soaring; they also are on the lookout for any health concerns. "I check on ‘em if they're not there. I go in there and try to find ‘em someplace," says Jack. The elderly and small children are the most vulnerable when it comes to extreme heat, so much so Governor Bob Riley recently asked places like churches and senior centers to open to help those who need it but so far that need at least in this area doesn’t seem to be there. All the senior citizens on the Taylor’s route are grateful for the food, more so for the company and the peace of mind knowing someone is watching out for them. 16 kids, ages 14 and under, have been treated for heat related illnesses. 65 people over the age of 65 have had to go to the hospital for the same reason.

News Map