Cool News For A New Canaan Family

A New Canaan family has air conditioning for the first time this summer, thanks to a partnership between the , The and Patch.

The town’s Director of Youth Services, Tony Phillips, asking if anyone had a used air conditioning unit they'd be willing to donate. Cynthia Gorey, Executive Director of NCCF read the blog and offered to purchase an air conditioner for the family. Phillips posted his blog on Wednesday at 4:01 p.m. and less than 48 hours later, on Friday at 12:21 p.m., Gorey posted that the air conditioner had been delivered.

 “It’s a new way of communicating,” Gorey said. “In the old days, if you wanted to build your barn, you’d ask your neighbors. Now you find your neighbors on Patch."

Gorey used NCCF’s “” fund to make the purchase. An annual benefit luncheon in February replenishes the discretionary fund, which has no set guidelines or requirements, other than requests must come through a professional, such as a town agency, a teacher or clergy member. After that, it’s up to Gorey to decide whether or not to make the award.

“My standard is very simple. I think, ‘If I pay for this, is this something I would tell all those ladies in February?’ If the answer is yes, I pay for it. If I say no, I don’t,” Gorey said.

“Touch A Life” awarded $23,000 in 2010 and has given away $18,000 already this year. Gorey said the awards are usually no larger than $500 each. She’s only turned down two requests since she began overseeing the fund in 2009.

Phillips said the fund has been enormously helpful to New Canaan's Human Resources Department.

“They’ve helped across the board. We’ve used the "Touch A Life" fund for everything from oil to medication expenses,” Phillips said.

And, now, an air conditioner.

NCCF Office Manager Kristin Faig shopped for the air conditioner on Friday morning and Faig's husband, John, will help install it.

Phillips told Patch he wasn’t sure he was using his blog correctly when he posted the request on Wednesday.

“Obviously it was a fabulous response. We had a quick turnaround and quick results,” he said. “Traditionally we’ve gone to the newspaper and posted a two or three line request for a wheelchair or something. This was a great way to get the word out. I thought, they’re using Patch and I’m using Patch. Voila!”