CAN YOU HELP? Providence Mount St. Vincent needs air conditioners, fans

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Our area’s largest senior/rehab center, Providence Mount St. Vincent, needs some immediate help to keep its vulnerable residents and workers cool. Here’s the announcement:

Help Residents and Caregivers at The Mount beat the heat.

While the team at The Mount is working diligently to keep 300 residents cool, safe and comfortable — living and working in an almost 100-year-old building without central air-conditioning during this heat wave has increased the need for help. Donations of large (14,000 BTU) free-standing air conditioning units, commercial-grade Move and Cool units and both small and large fans would be greatly appreciated.

We are extremely grateful for the initial community response with 7 small AC units and two fans donated over the weekend.

However, with nearly 100,000 square feet of resident living spaces to cool, more donations are urgently needed given the lack of inventory in stores. New units or used in excellent condition may be dropped off at The Mount’s east entrance at 4831 35th Ave SW. If transportation is an issue, please call 206-937-3701, extension 28035 and pick up may be arranged.

The Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation is also seeking cash donations to support the purchase of air conditioning units as any become available and in preparation for the remainder of the summer as temperatures more typically reach the upper 80’s and into the 90’s.

Cash donations can be made here.

awkward? June 28, 2021 (11:48 am)

Providence Health has over 10 billion in cash reserves; the chief executive pulls down a nice salary in the millions (the CEO was paid more than 10 million in 2018).

Doesn’t it strike anyone else as strange and awkward when companies this big, this wealthy, this powerful beg for money and supplies?

KM June 28, 2021 (1:26 pm)

Preach.

W/S Native June 28, 2021 (12:33 pm)

Oh yea, it strikes me…This is UNBELIEVABLE!!

Cynthia Barker June 28, 2021 (1:33 pm)

Well, then lend them your fans to get through the emergency and take it up with the board afterwards. It is an excellent point and they surely should think of stockpiling equipment like this for future emergencies. You’d have thought the heat wave a few years ago would have taught them to be prepared, but I guess not

ACG June 28, 2021 (2:00 pm)

While I completely agree with “awkward”’s point, even if Providence decided to equip their building with a cooling system, nothing can be done in time for the heat emergency right now. The few stores I have been in haven’t had any fans or AC in stock- so a donation of a usable AC or fan might be the only way to get things to help for today and the rest of this warm week. But, yes, Providence absolutely needs to step up and improve this for these residents long term. Elderly individuals have a MUCH harder time with bodily thermoregulation.

Julia June 28, 2021 (2:06 pm)

Think how much people are paying to live there. Think about the families whose loved ones are being “cared for” by an organization this irresponsible. This is shocking.

K June 28, 2021 (2:13 pm)

That should be criminal for a business of that sort and size.

anonyme June 28, 2021 (2:16 pm)

More than awkward – egregious. Not only should this company be investigated, but those with loved ones staying there should be demanding answers.

Nicole June 28, 2021 (2:35 pm)

How can they be this unprepared? This is unbelievable! I can guarantee I would never put a loved on there knowing they are this short sighted! I’m scared for the residents – not safe! This huge company shouldn’t be relying on the community good when they are so so rich. Yuck.

KT June 28, 2021 (2:46 pm)

Everything with that administration there is last minute. They never plan ahead. No surprise this should be any different.

drM June 28, 2021 (3:04 pm)

Such a pity this heat wave came right out of the blue. Why was it not predicted, like a week ago, so they could be prepared? Maybe we should pay the CEO a little more so he can buy some radios.

Plur June 28, 2021 (4:07 pm)

Um ya, they can ORDER them online and get them rushed like the rest of us with the means to do so. They should’ve done that last week like normal people. If I had anything to share I would but I agree. I hope that the families of residents make a big stink about their lack of planning!! Costco had them in stock online all week even when everywhere was sold out Shame on them

Be Prepared June 28, 2021 (5:21 pm)

Their job is to take care of their residents. They and everyone else were aware of this heat wave but, as they have before, the administration ignored it. This is despicable. I hope someone investigates this. Families trust this place and they are failing. Maybe the CEO could donate?!

zipda June 28, 2021 (5:49 pm)

10 Billion dollars just doesn’t go as far as it used to it appears.

Sunflower June 28, 2021 (6:11 pm)

This is really concerning. If anyone has any units they can donate, please do so asap!

Also, if you are out and see a homeless neighbor who looks in trouble, please offer them cold water or maybe call 211.

joel June 28, 2021 (6:20 pm)

sounds like someone needs to look at their capital budget and master planning – this is basic stuff…should be part of emergency planning. As many executives as Providence has….if each one brings a fan or portable a/c unit….problem solved.what a shame for an organization this large and old to not have such basics in place for the elderly they get paid to care for.not for profit doesn’t mean they don’t make a profit

scubafrog June 28, 2021 (7:26 pm)

Donate if you have extras – un-entitled people are suffering… Whilst you argue from your ivory, a/c-cooled thrones.There will be much more appropriate times for the soapbox, to whine about above-the-law untouchables (as you vote for corporatists like Durkan, who shield them). Brilliant, Seattle.

anonyme June 29, 2021 (9:51 am)

What a bizarre accusation. As a low-income senior who struggled through the last 4 days with two fans – no A/C, no “ivory tower”, and no “throne” (other than a porcelain one) – I can comfortably say that the only one on a soapbox is you. Nor do I vote for “corporatists”. I don’t vote for whiny, do-nothing activists, either.

Kensuke July 5, 2021 (6:36 am)

Are you kidding, guys? About what donation are you talking about? Are fans responsible for your financial problems?Maybe a course on how to learn logistics skills?