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The prize was an air conditioning unit - one of six that were purchased for the residents' use with funds from donations from individuals, local organizations like the Boyne City Eagle's Club and money that the residents raised themselves.

A lottery-type drawing was held to determine who would receive use of the new units.

"At first I was hesitant because I'd never used one before," Sheehy said, adding that her trepidation melted away when she experienced the benefits.

"Now I think, ÔThank God I've got my little baby in there!' Before I go for a walk I set it on 79 degrees," she said, "and when I come back, it's really nice."

Judy Owen, past resident council president at the complex, keeps a thermometer on the door of her second floor apartment to monitor the heat in the hallway.

"When the temperatures go above 90 the heat is unbearable, especially on the upper floors," said Owen, "Residents with breathing problems and those who are on oxygen are especially needful."

This has been an "ongoing problem", according to Owen, since one year ago in May when the Federal Urban Housing Development Commission determined that the window air conditioning units used by the majority of the senior residents at Litzenburger Place had to be removed. The determination was based upon the requirement that each apartment must have a secondary escape route in case of fire, and that the window units blocked that route.

Since then, residents have sought to replace the window units with a type of air conditioner that conforms to the fire code. The new units are freestanding and installed using a duct through the wall, similar to a clothes dryer, that draws air from the outside.

But the problem for many residents is that at around $300 per unit, the air conditioners are a necessity that they cannot afford on their budget. Navy veteran Dick Bebee also won the lottery drawing, saying that the cool air "makes it a lot nicer."

"So far it hasn't been real hot," said Bebee, "In July and August it'll be bad."

Only 25 of the building's 53 residents now have air conditioning units. Of the remaining number, there are 10 people whose health is most directly compromised by the stifling heat.

One of the 10 is Flo Kuzmik who had hoped that her name would be drawn in the lottery. Suffering from chronic bronchial problems, Kuzmik was affected with both bronchitis and pneumonia last winter and is struggling to recover from the debt incurred during her stay in the hospital.

"One of my neighbors bought a used air conditioner for $100," Kuzmik said. "I was real happy that she got it. She needed one."

Kuzmik's condition would make her a top candidate to receive a unit, but since the only fair way to distribute the air conditioners bought with donations was to draw names, she is still waiting.

Oliver Jodway, who is the resident member of the Boyne City Housing Commission and Resident Council Secretary at Litzenburger Place, along with Judy Owen, have been tireless in their efforts to raise money and to acquire the necessary units.

Jodway researched the best deal and then negotiated with ABC Warehouse in Gaylord who granted the seniors special pricing of $297 on the product which normally retails for $377.

Owen stated that the units bought with donations or with monies derived from the senior's Busy Bee craft center and other fund-raising projects, remain the property of the residence.

"If someone who has one of these air conditioners moves away, we'll hold another lottery to pass it along to someone else," she said. "Our long-term goal is to have a unit for everyone who needs one. Our short-term goal is for ten more - We're going for it!"

The residents of Litzenburger Place would be happy to receive donations. They are a non-profit organization and donations may be sent to the Resident Council Air Conditioning Fund in care of the Boyne City Housing Commission at 829 S. Park Street, Boyne City, 49712, or call the BCHC at 231- 582-6203.