COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -
Two strangers, brought together by a Facebook post, started a campaign to help those struggling to stay cool this summer.
One family in need of an air conditioner sparked the initial idea that led to a widespread effort.
"They tried to purchase a unit and the check did not go through," Shannon Luna, an employee at the Lowe's store in Cookeville, told Nashville's News 2. "The family left and I noticed the father looked heartbroken and I know that he's trying to do everything he could for his family and I knew he needed help."
Luna wanted to help so he decided to turn to Facebook.
"I posted for my friends if anybody knew people that had an A/C unit or could help in this situation, to let me know," Luna said.
The Facebook post was shared several times and eventually made its way to Brent Webb, owner of CB's Bar and Grill in Cookeville.
"I have children of my own and it just about killed me," Webb told Nashville's News 2. "I was like, we got to do something and we got to do something fast."
Webb donated an old A/C unit and, along with Luna, helped set it up for the family.
Webb, however, still wanted to do more.
"On that drive home that day I thought that there are a lot more people out there like that family and [was] thinking maybe I could do something to help," he recalled.
Webb has since started a Beat the Heat campaign, collecting donations of bottled water, fans and air conditioners for people in need.
The campaign is focused on helping families or those with medical conditions get air conditioners.
In just a week, the campaign has distributed about 15 A/C units and dozens of cases of water.
Webb is working tirelessly to collect donations and to personally distribute the items to help the community.
He said, "God's given me a lot of things in my life and Lord knows I'm not a perfect person but if I can help somebody, I'm going to."
For more information, visit CB'S Bar and Grill on Facebook or call 931-520-1620.
