Local company is now accepting applications for family in need
Once a year, the Comfort Now team selects a resident in need from Atlantic County or Cape May County to receive a new heater. The free heater will be given to the person or family with the greatest need and most compelling story. Is that you or a friend of yours?
Founded in November of 2014, Comfort Now is a leading heating and cooling service provider in Atlantic and Cape May counties.
From the very beginning one of their core values has been to give back to the community. Owner Bob McAllister likes to refer to a quote from President Ronald Reagan: “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”
Comfort Now gave its first heater away six weeks after opening. The company reached its eighth year of doing the giveaway in 2021. In that time, they have helped 14 families in need by replacing 13 heaters and repairing one, all without cost to the families.
The company’s first recipient was an 80-year-old widow whose husband told her not to run the heater before he died because it was unsafe. She had been using kerosene space heaters for two years. She was nominated by her granddaughter.
Others have been nominated by family or friends. Past recipients include eight single women and two single men.
Of the 14, 11 homes have had children including a single gentleman in his 80s who was still caring for his 50-something handicapped son.
One year a person from out of state heard about the program and sent a donation that allowed Comfort Now to provide new heaters to all five finalists.
It is not a popularity contest. Comfort Now requests people to submit nominations of folks in need who are having trouble with their heating systems. This can be a friend, member of a community group, neighbor or even themselves.
Comfort Now speaks to the nominees and visits the homes to narrow it down to five deserving people, and posts them for input from the public. Staff picks the recipient based on what they know about their need, and they visit their home before the holidays to let them know.
Based on schedules and availability of equipment, they try to have the new heater installed before the new year and the coldest weather.
Comfort Now says the program warms their hearts during the holidays and they’re thrilled to be able to continue the tradition.
Details of their Holiday Heater Giveaway and the five finalists are on their submission page. See https://www.iwantcomfortnow.com/holiday-heater-giveaway/
