During brutally hot weather, the weatherman often says, “Be sure to look in on your elderly neighbors.” That’s great advice. But how about taking it a step further: Lend a helping hand to our fellow citizens living on the street.

When the heat index approaches or tops 100, and you have an errand to run, be sure to take along some cold bottled water for the un-housed you encounter on street corners.

Want to go a step further? Stock up on cooling towels, umbrellas, and ice packs. Carry a supply of straw hats or baseball caps. You might want to give away a personal fan with a spray attachment or a small handheld fan. Sunscreen and bug spray are also good to put in the donation bag.

Here’s another idea for you: Hand out daily bus passes so that folks who must pound the hot pavement can board an air-conditioned bus to get out of the sun for a few hours. Or, you might offer them a list of nearby cooling centers and their locations, such as public libraries.

Looking for food items that don’t spoil so easily in the baking sun? You might want to carry some Nutri-Grain bars or bananas.

While you’re at it, don’t neglect yourself. Stay hydrated and drink plenty of fluids even if you don’t really want them. Keep one giant step ahead of the blazing sun to avoid heat exhaustion or heatstroke. One of my favorite beverages during these scorchers is Propel because it contains electrolytes.

Closer to home, don’t forget the landscape workers who come to mow the lawn or trim the bushes around your property. I have witnessed many smiling faces from these workers when I hail them and offer a bottle of cold water. Sometimes I throw in a snack.

We can’t control the weather, but we are fully in charge of our humanity. We can stay cool and be of a generous heart at the same time!

Ron Cooper ©2024