An elderly Dayton man will be sleeping and living in comfort now after a group of people in the community donated and installed two window air conditioners in his home this week.
Arthur Benton, 71, has struggled through the last two summers without air conditioning, trying to stay cool on a semi-shaded portion of his front porch during the day and then sweating through the night. This week, the two air conditioners were donated after his situation was highlighted by his home health caretaker, Sonya Burmaster.
Burmaster, who started taking care of Benton a few hours a day this past Monday, said she was concerned about his welfare so she made a Facebook post asking for help. The Facebook post reached a young woman working for the Walmart store in Liberty, who purchased a new single-room air conditioner for Benton. The donated air conditioner was installed in Benton’s bedroom, which made sleeping through the night more bearable.
“I had been sweating it out,” he said. “I slept really good last night.”
On Thursday, a larger, 18,000 BTU window unit was donated to Benton by Pct. 4 Commissioner Leon Wilson, and wife, Amanda, David Milam of Milam Tire and Auto, and Corey Ripkowski, owner of Western Auto in Dayton. Wilson, Milam and Dayton Community Center employee Curtis Appleby installed the unit while Benton sat patiently on his porch and watched. Dayton Police Department officers came to offer moral support.
Once the second window unit was installed, they all went inside to test it out. Benton stood in front of the air conditioner and thanked them all for their help.
“We don’t like anybody to be sleeping or even standing in this heat,” Milam said. “We are always happy to help someone in need.”
This right here is an amazing story. From there care taker reaching out to an amazing community. The out pouring support from a community. Thank you to everyone who reached out and helped this gentleman. Mr and Mrs Wilson another amazing gratitude to the both of you.
My heart swelled seeing this and the community reaching out and helping this elderly gentleman. Thanks to the caretaker for reaching out and asking for help for this gentleman. GOD is so good and his people are to. All of you will get that extra diamond in your crown..
This is what Jesus wants you to do. Giving money to the Joel Osteen’s of the world isn’t what he called for.
[…] Source: https://bluebonnetnews.com/2022/07/14/community-responds-to-elderly-dayton-man-without-air-condition… […]
Thanks to all these individuals for this kind gesture!. This is an amazing story. God Bless you all!
Arthur is my 2nd cousin. I have never had the pleasure of meeting him. If anyone sees him please let him know that I called his Aunt Jean in Baytown today and also mailed her a copy of the story and the picture.
I’m reaching out to Cory- amazing man – to do what I can for the next participant.