Deputy wellness check leads to donated AC unit for North Fort Myers resident amid summer heat

A wellness check in North Fort Myers led to an act of kindness after deputies discovered a resident living without air conditioning during the summer heat.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office said 1st Precinct Deputy Kirby responded to the home for a wellness check and found the resident was not experiencing a medical emergency. However, the deputy discovered the home's air conditioning had failed, leaving indoor temperatures above 90 degrees.

After learning the resident could not afford to replace the unit, Deputy Kirby sought help from the community.

Pete Flatter, manager of Home Depot Store No. 3119, donated a new window air conditioning unit. Deputy Kirby, along with Deputy Drummond, delivered and installed the unit, restoring air conditioning to the home.

The sheriff's office thanked Home Depot and everyone involved in making the donation possible.

"This is what community is all about — neighbors helping neighbors," the agency said in a statement.