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Group gives out heaters to senior citizens

ATLANTA — One nonprofit is on a mission to make sure senior citizens stay warm during this bitter cold. Instead of just dropping off meals to the elderly, employees are also providing a little heat.

Ever since Geraldine Fickling's furnace went out two weeks ago, she’s been heating her home using her gas stove. It has been running day and night.

“I close up all the doors and stay in one spot and in the bed, too,” Fickling said.

She's ecstatic Meals on Wheels Atlanta is not only delivering her meals, but emergency space heaters, too.

“God is good. I appreciate it,” Fickling said.

The record cold weather two weeks ago prompted a spike in calls for help. Crews are dropping off heaters just about every day.

“It’s a critical situation when temps drop as low as it is; down into teens,” said Joseph Guy, with Meals on Wheels Atlanta. “The houses become very cold very quickly.”

So far, Meals on Wheels has delivered 36 heaters to seniors in need, and they have a lot more to go.

“It's been horrible. We've had to stay in here and sleep and make us sleep in here trying to keep warm,” said Vonnene Copeland.

The Copelands said they're lucky -- they just got the last two heaters Meals on Wheels Atlanta has in stock right now.

“We bought a fairly large number of them, but we've already delivered all of them at this point,” Guy said.

The organization is working to get more, but they're not always easy to find.

“I'm just thankful that somebody thinks about the less fortunate,” Fickling said.