Couldn’t you use some good news right about now?
During the past few months, everyone has been through trying times. A great feel-good story is just what we all need.
Some companies recognize this and are using this time to give back. Heating and cooling giant Lennox North America is a great example. Their Feel the Love campaign started recently and for the first time is running here in Guelph.
Lennox is giving away a new furnace and all of the installation costs are covered. Local company Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning in Guelph are excited to participate, says Oosterveld Community and Marketing Manager, Jennifer Dunsmoor. “It’s for sure the first time for Oosterveld and I think first in the city for this type of program,” she says.
How does it work? Anyone can go to Lennox’s campaign website www.feelthelove.com and nominate someone. The program is open to anyone in the city, including many of the surrounding communities like Rockwood and Puslinch—essentially anywhere within a 20-kilometre radius of Guelph.
It’s an opportunity for the community to nominate deserving individuals or families in their hometown who need a new furnace and do not have the means to afford one. By doing so, you can recognize an unsung hero who may be experiencing hardship, helping others in need or simply helping their community. Often recipients are used to living with inadequate or non-functioning systems.
Nominees tend to have one thing in common: they are always putting other people first. Examples of past nominees include veterans, senior citizens living in older homes, families facing hard times, people impacted by natural disasters, teachers, firefighters and volunteers. Anyone who serves others is an excellent candidate.
All nominations will be received directly by Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning. They will carefully review each submission and as a company they will decide on a winner.
Saturday, October 10th is the date of installation, so nominees need to be home and available on that day. This impressive campaign is a national one, with the same date fixed all across Canada.
A new high-efficiency Lennox Merit furnace system, complete with 3-year Comfort Shield Labour Protection plan, will be given away—plus the time, parts and labour involved in the installation. A new home comfort system is a substantial cost for any homeowner, and typically runs around $4,500.
Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning have operated in the city of Guelph for over 40 years. They have between 15 to 20 employees, including installers, service technicians, a sales team and administration staff. Every year, the company does a coat drive in conjunction with the Guelph Storm OHL team. They’ve long been a fixture here and have made giving back to the community a real cornerstone of their business.
“You don’t always see that with corporations,” says Dunsmoor. “With people having to cut back, not everyone has the means to give right now. I think it’s really important to do that if you can.”
Programs like this one are especially important to highlight. “More than ever there are people in our community in need, financially but also mentally and emotionally. I think seeing companies that are presenting these wonderful types of programs are really welcomed,” she says. “Especially this year with having so many different things cancelled people are going to really love the idea of having something to feel good about.”
The Feel the Love campaign is one of the bigger ones the Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning family has participated in and it’s something they look forward to doing annually. It’s the perfect synergy: Lennox supplies the furnace and Oosterveld provides the labour.
Nominations are open until August 31, 2020. On September 4th the winner will be announced. Installation—and a celebration!—happens Thanksgiving weekend, on Saturday, October 10th, 2020. That day, all over Canada, several lucky recipients will have brand-new furnaces installed for free.
“I think it’s important now more than ever to really recognize the businesses that are going above and beyond for the community. At the end of the day everyone needs to make money, but not everyone gives back,” says Dunsmoor. “What a wonderful way to give thanks, do something good for someone and be grateful.”
Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning has been family owned and operated since 1980. Their HVAC experts can help with all of your home comfort needs.