"At night, it's like an oven, just like an oven," Chavis said.
But now, Chavis has an air conditioner thanks to the generosity of Bruce Hatcher, who donated and installed a unit.
"I think it's very important, because the heat is real unhealthy for people's health," Hatcher said.
Hatcher, a mold specialist by trade, was one of dozens of people who contacted WRAL on Monday after watching Rebecca Hinton's story about hour her air conditioner had been stolen while she was in the hospital.
He wanted to help. So far he has installed six units for people in need.
"I'm blessed, and I feel like, 'Why shouldn't we do things to help other people?'" Hatcher said.
"It means the world to me, yes indeed," Chavis said.
Just two hours after Hinton's story aired Tuesday night, Don Bagwell of Fuquay-Varina hooked her up with a new unit.
"I was so touched by it, you know, it was beautiful," Hinton said as she basked Wednesday afternoon in front of the cool breeze coming from her new air conditioner.
Cool 4 Wake distributes fans and air conditioners to people in need. They help 300 people a season. WRAL referred a number of viewers who wanted to help Hinton to that program.
"We've been very excited to receive positive responses from people who not only wanted to help Mrs. Hinton but also wanted to help seniors in situations like hers," said Denise Kissel with Wake County Human Services.
Thanks to people like Hatcher and Bagwell, several lucky seniors are now sleeping a lot easier these days.
"I slept good," Hinton said. "It was cool. And I slept so good."
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