The first car I ever owned was a blue Pontiac Le Mans, with no power steering, no power windows, and no air conditioning. I was working in Brooklyn that summer and each day made the long drive on the Interboro Parkway to work. It wasn't bad in the morning, since I was on the road before 6 a.m. But in the afternoons coming home-whoa! was it hot!

I rolled all the windows down and prayed for a breeze, but nothing helped. When I finally got home, I headed straight for the shower and then sat in front of the nearest air conditioner for an hour.

I thought about that car and the sweaty trip home when I got an email from my friend Robert Pape who works in the Interfaith Nutrition Network's main office in Hempstead.

Robert wrote, "The summer months bring a great health care concern for our families in our shelters. [The INN maintains three emergency shelters in Nassau County that house over 100 men, women, and children every night.] The heat in the shelters, especially on the upper floors, is quite unbearable on many nights in the summer. We have attempted to help the situation with window fans and attic fans, but the condition continues to concern our social workers for our guests' safety-especially the children."

Robert asked me if I thought I could raise some money so the INN could install a new air conditioning system. I told him I'd try.

We need approximately $18,000 to turn the "hot" to "cool" for the families that use the INN shelters. I'm pitching in $500 to get the ball rolling. Whatever amount you can spare for this important effort is greatly appreciated. Contributions large or small are welcomed. Please make your check payable to: the Interfaith Nutrition Network and mail to: Dave Golbert, 7 Lee Court West, Great Neck, NY 11024.

Beating the "hot" can be really "cool."