Local Organizations Come Together and Show the True Meaning of the Holidays

Today is a special day for Doris Owens of Seneca. Through a collaborative effort, Ms. Owens received a new heating and air conditioning unit installed in her home courtesy of the South Carolina Association of Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors’ Cool Aid Warms Hearts program.

The South Carolina Association of Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors (SCAHACC) created the Cool Aid Warms Hearts program after seeing an investigative report on the Today Show. The report showed a number of heating, ventilation and air conditioning companies to be dishonest. The Cool Aid Warms Hearts program provides HVAC companies an opportunity to serve the underprivileged in South Carolina.

The project was coordinated by multiple organizations. Home Works of America and Cross Point Church provided repairs on Ms. Owens home earlier in the year and had already formed a relationship with the homeowner. During the repairs Home Works identified the need for a new HVAC unit.  After this discovery, Coretta Bedsole with AARP South Carolina and president of Sustaining Our Seniors of SC connected the groups already working at the premises with the SCAHACC.

The effort has gained the attention and support of SC State Senator Thomas Alexander.  “My gratitude goes out to the SC Association of Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors, Home Works of America, AARP South Carolina, Cross Point Church and Sustaining Our Seniors for coming together to help Mrs. Owens. As a long-time supporter of services for seniors, I am pleased by this public/private partnership and the opportunities it will give seniors in our communities to spend the holidays with their loved ones in the warmth of their homes. This is the kind of partnership I hope can be replicated throughout the year statewide,” said Senator Alexander.

The caring professionals from Carolina Heating & Air, Climate Control, Waldrop Heating & A/C and Pittman Heating & A/C came together to provide time, labor and supplies. SC Air, Dickson Company and Lennox Industries provided equipment and supplies, assisting these contractors in their efforts.

In the spirit of the holiday season, AARP South Carolina is thankful for all involved in orchestrating this effort and helping seniors in South Carolina.

Katie Koon from SCAHACC contributed to this post.