For the fourth consecutive year, Chappell Central Inc. of Willmar has teamed up with Lennox International to help local families in need of a new furnace. The “Heat Up Minnesota” program is put together by Lennox International, who has donated over 150 furnaces to deserving families across the state of Minnesota. They work with their local furnace dealers, like Chappell Central Inc., to get the furnaces installed. While the furnace is donated by Lennox International, Chappell Central Inc. donates their time and materials to install the furnace. In 2015, the families who were awarded new installed Lennox International furnaces are: the James House in Willmar, Minnesota, and Nancy Turner of Willmar, Minnesota.
New Furnaces Awarded to Two Deserving Willmar, Minnesota Families
The James House – Willmar, MN
The James House was among the first of its kind in the area when it opened twelve years ago. It is a Christ-centered home dedicated to be a safe place for men who are early in recovery from drug or alcohol addiction. During a stay at the James House, each man is required to go to recovery meetings, attend a weekly church service, and comply with the house rules. Located on the corner of 15th Street SW and Kandiyohi Avenue in Willmar, the house has rooms for eight residents and a small studio apartment for the house manager, but was in dire need of a new furnace. With no paid employees on staff and a small budget, the James House has a yearly budget for basic operations that is less than that of an average household of four. The James House has relationships established with many addiction treatment centers such as Project Turnabout, New Life Treatment, and Serenity Path. They do no receive any state or federal funding, but depend on donations from community members. Nate Juhl, Director of the James House expressed his gratitude, “Through all the generosity of people over the years, and the recent blessing of this new furnace, it is easy to see that God is still in it with us. ”
Nancy Turner – Willmar, MN
Nancy Turner is a single woman in her early sixties who lives in a small one level home in Willmar. Although she works full-time, she struggles to make ends meet. With two major surgeries in the last two years, she has also acquired some medical expense debt. Nancy lives a simple lifestyle, but the expense of a new furnace would have been a major hardship for her. Unlike many people her age who are retired or retiring soon, Nancy aims to just keep the bills paid and afford her house. With the new Lennox furnace installed in her home, she no longer has to worry about how she would afford to repair or replace her old furnace when the time came where it was no longer operable. For Nancy, it is hard to express in words how appreciative she is. She explained, “To get this kind of gift and to not have to worry about my furnace breaking down is wonderful. I am so grateful and appreciative!”
The new high efficiency Lennox furnaces installed at the James House and in Nancy Turner’s home are up to 30% more efficient then what they previously had. This means that the new furnaces will reduce their future energy consumption, and likely result in a lower monthly heating bill as well.
Congratulations to Nancy Turner, and the James House! The staff at Chappell Central is proud to be a part of this meaningful program that directly impacts people in West Central Minnesota.
Read about Past Heat Up Minnesota Winners in our Area:
2014 Heat Up Minnesota Winners from Willmar, MN
2013 Heat Up Minnesota Winners from Atwater and Kerkhoven, MN
2012 Heat Up Minnesota Winner from Sacred Heart, MN
2012 Heat Up Minnesota Winner from Willmar, MN
