By Brittany Anderson
One local heating and A/C company is gearing up for its fifth year of helping keep a member of the community warm in his or her home as colder days approach.
Since 2017, Garner Heating & Air Conditioning (GHAC) in Kyle has assisted a family or individual in need of a heating system or major repair to their current system during the winter season through their “Gift of Heat” program.
According to Sarah Mottu of GHAC, there is no specific criteria for nominating someone for the program — only that a true need for assistance can be verified. Residents in any of GHAC’s services areas, which include Kyle, Buda, Wimberley, San Marcos and into south Austin, are eligible to be nominated.
“The idea is to do something that helps the community,” Mottu said, adding that GHAC owners Doug and Karen Garner wanted to use their platform to help during a time when heat is so necessary.
Garner said on the GHAC website that one of the hardest things their technicians encounter when they go to a home is homeowners having no means to replace or repair a non-functioning or failing heating system.
“The Gift of Heat Program is something really special to all of us at GHAC,” Garner wrote. “It’s one way we can use our talents and resources to give back to those in need.”
Their hope for the program is that it “brings glory to God, blesses families in need that are going through a tough time and inspires and motivates others in a position of influence to do the same.”
Past recipients include San Marcos resident Clemente Saucedo in 2019, who experienced a complete home flood in 2017 that left significant and costly damage to his home of 65 years. Saucedo was forced to only run electric heaters in his home’s most frequently occupied rooms at specific times in order to minimize the likelihood of an electrical fire, leaving the rest of his home without heat.
Doug and Karen Garner (right) of GHAC with the 2019 Gift of Heat Program nominee winner Clemente Saucedo of San Marcos. Photo courtesy of Garner Heating & Air Conditioning.
GHAC was able to provide Saucedo with a new heating system in time for the winter season, ensuring that he stayed “warm and comfortable all season long.”
If you or someone you know would benefit from this program, the nomination form can be found at www.garnerac.com/gift-of-heat-nomination. The nomination deadline has been extended to Jan. 15. For more information, contact [email protected] or call (512) 392-2000.
