When Clinch-Powell visited Ms. Beckler in early August, we encountered a proud woman with an impeccably kept home. Photos of family members glimmered in the sun, which beat down relentlessly on her metal roof and siding. Without a working air conditioning unit for several months, she had all of the windows and doors open and relied on portable fans to circulate the August air. Despite these efforts, the heat in her home was unbearable for the hour we were there.

What a difference a month can make! On September 12, we returned to Ms. Beckler’s home. The first thing we noticed was the thermostat holding steady at 69 degrees! Ms. Beckler beamed with pride as she showed us her new heating and air conditioning unit, installed by Bennett Heating and Air of Crossville, Tennessee.

For someone on a fixed income, a new HVAC unit is usually a pipe dream. After spending hundreds of dollars from her savings to troubleshoot and patch the system without success, a call to Clinch-Powell changed everything. Beckler says within a week of speaking with the Clinch-Powell repair team, she was signing paperwork acknowledging that she was a grant recipient and would be receiving a new HVAC unit. “It’s a miracle,” she cried!

Thanks to our generous partners, the United Fund of Cumberland County, Volunteer Energy Cooperative, and Appalachy Ventures, this miracle was made a reality for Ms. Beckler. Now that her new HVAC system has been installed, she says she will not have to worry about being too hot or too cold.

As she gave us a tour of her property and showed off her new system, Ms. Beckler explained she was preparing to leave for “work”—she is a volunteer at a local non-profit organization. She says she loves volunteering because it makes her feel good to give back, especially when she has been so blessed.

If you are a senior needing home repairs, we may be able to help. Call Clinch-Powell at 865-828-5927 or fill out our online application on our Forms page.