Curves, Home Depot and Local Firefighters Help Deserving Mom and Daughter Beat Sweltering Texas Heat
Curves staff and members, a Home Depot store, and firefighters from northwest Amarillo surprised a mom and her grown daughter (who has Down syndrome) when they showed up over the July 4 holiday weekend to install two window air conditioner units in their previously uncooled home.
Marlene Rasco and her daughter, Marty, joined the Curves at 2015 S. Coulter earlier this year when Marlene learned that her membership would be entirely paid for through her SilverSneakers Medicare insurance. Marlene thought it would be good for their health and provide a social outlet. Little did she know that Curves would change her life in other ways as well.
Just before the July 4 holiday weekend, Marlene and Marty were working out on the Curves circuit and listening to other members discuss the hot and humid weather. Marlene chimed in, mentioning that her home had no air conditioning of any kind.
The pair were barely out of the club when manager Carmen Valdez and her staff hatched a plan to purchase window air conditioners for them. They set up a collection jar in the middle of the circuit—which they hid when Marlene and Marty came in—and within two days had collected $260.
At the local Home Depot, they explained their mission to the manager, who offered to sell them two $150 window units for just $50 each.
The next task was finding someone to install the units, but everyone they called was already out of town or had holiday plans. So they did what anyone would think to do—they called the local fire department!
Marty was as thrilled to have a firetruck pull up in front of her house as Marlene was to finally have air conditioning. There were a few tears and big smiles and hugs all around.
"I can tell you from being in their home, the coolest place to be was on the front porch," said Curves owner Mary Jo Zallar. "But not anymore. I have such wonderful staff and members!"
And that extra $160? The Curves staff purchased a money order and gave it to Marlene to help with her electric bill.
Marlene Rasco and her daughter, Marty, joined the Curves at 2015 S. Coulter earlier this year when Marlene learned that her membership would be entirely paid for through her SilverSneakers Medicare insurance. Marlene thought it would be good for their health and provide a social outlet. Little did she know that Curves would change her life in other ways as well.
The pair were barely out of the club when manager Carmen Valdez and her staff hatched a plan to purchase window air conditioners for them. They set up a collection jar in the middle of the circuit—which they hid when Marlene and Marty came in—and within two days had collected $260. 
Marty was as thrilled to have a firetruck pull up in front of her house as Marlene was to finally have air conditioning. There were a few tears and big smiles and hugs all around.