Friedrich air conditionerChildren in this rural community have air-conditioned classrooms for the first time since the schoolhouse was constructed in 1899. The relief came Tuesday, when volunteers installed eight room air conditioners donated by the Friedrich Air Conditioning Company, based in San Antonio, Texas.
The Bement Community Unit School District No. 5 was forced to dismiss classes early during the first week of school, when temperatures inside the brick building soared into the 90s in late August. With indoor temperatures continuing to reach the 80s and 90s this month, Friedrich’s executive team in Texas decided to ship free air conditioners to Illinois to offer the school relief after reading an Associated Press article that went across the national wires.
Located halfway between Decatur and Champaign in central Illinois, the school has an enrollment of 385 students in grades prekindergarten through 12. The Friedrich room air conditioners will be used in classrooms that serve 134 elementary school children.
To read the article in the San Antonio Express-News, visit http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Texas-company-answers-Ill-school-s-AC-prayers-4827268.php.