Your air conditioning unit donation can be a lifesaver for neighbors in need.
If you live in the DMV, you know that the summers here can be oppressive. The heat. The humidity. And as temperatures continue to increase due to climate change, summers are becoming even hotter in the region.
Now imagine encountering those temperatures in your home, especially as someone who has chronic health issues or suffers from heart or lung problems. Those who are ill, along with the elderly, pregnant, and the young, are particularly at risk in the sweltering temperatures and, without air conditioning indoors, summer can become a dangerous season.
A simple window unit can completely change their environment.
That’s why, when you’re remodeling or upgrading your HVAC system and find yourself with an extra window unit, don’t just send it to the dump, consider donating your AC unit to Community Forklift.
Through the Home Essentials Program (HELP), Community Forklift provides free home essentials, including air conditioners, to those in the community who are most in need. These are our neighbors who can benefit most from a climate controlled living space, and the impact that even one window unit can make in a home without central air is immeasurable.
But there are always more eligible recipients waiting than there are available air conditioning units, and our waitlist will only continue to grow as summer temperatures approach. We accept donations of working air conditioning units all year round, but that need increases with the hot and humid forecast. It takes time to clean up and test each unit, so the best time to receive donations ahead of summer is now, in early to mid spring.
This year, with a wait list for air conditioning units already forming, we have a goal of 80 units by June 1.
Curious how to donate an AC unit? We make it easy for you. Here are three ways you can donate or support our work to help those in need find comfort this summer.
- Drop off: You can donate window or in-room air conditioning units less than 10 years of age at our reuse warehouse anytime Monday through Friday, 12 to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5pm.
- Donate funds: Don’t have an extra unit, but want to help? Make a donation today to support our HELP program which provides this service for free to our neighbors in need.
- Tell a friend: The more people that know, the better! Tell your friends, family, or anyone who might have an extra unit laying around. Notice a neighbor renovating? Spread the word!
Your assistance makes an immeasurable impact on neighbors within our own community, and, together, we’re making sure everyone has a comfortable, healthy, safe place to live, all year long.
HOW YOU CAN DONATE AN AC UNIT
- Drop off: You can donate window or in-room air conditioning units less than 10 years of age at our reuse warehouse anytime Monday through Friday, 12 to 5 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10 am to 5pm.
- Donate funds: Don’t have an extra unit, but want to help? Make a donation today to support our HELP program which provides this service for free to our neighbors in need.
- Tell a friend: The more people that know, the better! Tell your friends, family, or anyone who might have an extra unit laying around. Notice a neighbor renovating? Spread the word!
“Thank you so very, very much! I got air, I got air! Thank you for everything!”
Every time you donate or shop at Community Forklift, you’re helping us lift up local communities through reuse. We turn the construction waste stream into a resource stream for communities in the DC region – by keeping perfectly good items out of the landfill, preserving historical materials, providing low-cost building supplies, and creating local green jobs.
