This winter, four families received the much-welcomed gift of a new high-efficiency heating and cooling system, thanks to the “A Gift of Warmth” program sponsored by BGE HOME, Constellation Home and United Way of Central Maryland, United Way of Frederick County and United Way of York County.
Deserving families were nominated by fellow members of their community, and winners were selected in Baltimore, Millersville, and Thurmont, Maryland, as well as Hanover, Pennsylvania.
The Valentine family in Thurmont had their new high-efficiency heating and cooling system installed in early January. BGE Home received about twenty nominations through the United Way of Frederick County for this year’s program, and two of them were for the Valentine family of Thurmont. Their neighbors pointed to their positivity, work ethic, caring spirit, and tight-knit family in their recommendations.
The family’s old unit was about twenty years old and required constant upkeep. The Valentines were unable to replace it due to a series of setbacks, including a flood caused by a neighbor’s home that insurance wouldn’t cover.
Steve Valentine said, “Lady Luck has never really shined on us, and when my wife got the call, she was literally in tears… We were ecstatic. We totally feel blessed.”
The cost of the newly installed system with installation is valued at about $10,000. The new heating and cooling system should last about fifteen years and is more efficient, so it could lower heating and cooling costs by about 20 percent. BGE HOME has a service center in Mount Airy and provides services to all of Frederick County.
BGE HOME also assists with heating-related calls to the 2-1-1 Maryland United Way Helpline, which provides unique community information referral services to people in need of food, shelter, job resources, health care, child care, and other vital services.
The 2-1-1 Maryland United Way Helpline is one of four 2-1-1 call centers in Maryland, and is available 24/7 in 150 languages. Anyone can dial 2-1-1 for free, confidential help.
“We believe that safe, affordable housing is a basic human need, essential to keeping families stable,” said Mark Furst, president and CEO, United Way of Central Maryland.
The heating and cooling systems were donated by Trane, Carrier and Slant/Fin.