An HVAC market wholesaler group has agreed to become a major contributor to a veterans organization.

On July 30, Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International signed an agreement with Homes For Our Troops to support its mission to provide injured veterans with specially equipped homes at no cost.

The three-year agreement names HARDI as its official HVAC supplier will have the association’s members provide and install HVAC construction equipment in the homes outfitted by the charity at no charge.

HARDI has been a supporter of HFOT since 2011. Last year, members donated more than $60,000 to the organization.

“There’s an emotional component to this, of course,” said HARDI CEO Talbot Gee. “Obviously it’s a badge of honor for us to partner with Homes for Our Troops. There’s also a very practical reason for this partnership: our members are in a position to acquire high-efficiency equipment for these homes, which can lower a veteran’s utility costs and provide better indoor air quality. This is the perfect partnership for us.”

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of the office of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and U.S. Army veteran Kevin McCloskey.

“As a veteran myself, I am particularly honored to support Homes for Our Troops and to witness the launch of this major partnership. This is an extremely meaningful day for me,” said Mike Braun, vice chairman of HARDI’s impact committee and director of marketing for Gustave A. Larson Co. “I can speak for those of us at Gustave A. Larson Company when I say that it’s a privilege for us to make a tangible difference in the quality of life for these injured soldiers.”

Dave Chatmon, owner of the Lettering Machine and chairman of HARDI’s impact committee, said he expects association’s members to make Homes For Our Troops even stronger.

“With HARDI distributor members’ expertise in logistics and with the manufacturers’ HVACR knowledge and resources, this partnership has the potential to completely transform both organizations,” Chatmon said. “Also, as this partnership gains momentum, stay tuned as the Impact Committee puts together a few supplemental programs to run alongside it.”