Need an air conditioner? Montclair residents step up with donations

Volunteers and community members have been distributing donated air conditioners to Montclair residents to help get through the summer's ongoing heat waves.

As of Tuesday, the count was up to 31 units. Montclair Mutual Aid was coordinating donations for 22 units, Jonathan Marshall, a volunteer with the group said. Councilman Peter Yacobellis said he was coordinating another 9. 

Last year, Montclair Mutual Aid distributed six air conditioners.

“All of them were donated by generous people in Montclair, including at least 11 new-bought ones from anonymous donors,” he said.

Those interested in donating or volunteering to help the effort can contact Montclair Mutual Aid via MontclairMutualAid.org, or mention their interest on the group's posts about the effort in several community Facebook groups, he said. People in need of air conditioners can contact the group in the same ways, he said.

"It looks like [Montclair Mutual Aid] has just enough to meet all the AC requests so far," Marshall said. "If more people need a free air conditioner, we'll add them to a waiting list until we receive more donated ACs. If we run out, people can check back periodically or post a request on Freecycle.org or on Facebook groups like Buy Nothing Montclair or Curb Alert Montclair."

— Louis C. Hochman and Talia Wiener

Montclair Local reporter Talia Wiener received a donated air conditioner through the effort coordinated by Yacobellis.