Like other organizations in Sharer's community, local Luxaire distributor Doug Ovard, president of Douglas Metals & Insulation, and Luxaire dealer Tony Neeley, owner and president of Advanced Air Specialists, are donating both products and services to A Wishing Place.
Completed in December 2003, A Wishing Place is the new home for the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Utah.
"But it is so much more than offices," said Sharer, chief operating officer of the foundation. "It's really a place for making wishes and fulfilling wishes - a place where children can explore their wishes through game-like activities and an imaginative environment designed around the suggestions of children. Here they also have space to surround themselves with family and friends and celebrate when wishes come true."
No Hesitation
When Luxaire regional sales manager Doug Romeo asked Ovard if he was interested in coordinating the installation of donated heating and air conditioning products at A Wishing Place, Ovard's answer was an immediate yes. Ovard, in turn, enlisted the installation services of Neeley's organization and contacted other area businesses, which supplied material for the duct system.Neeley's firm installed eight Luxaire High Performanceâ„¢ 90-percent single-stage gas furnaces and eight Luxaire Performance Plusâ„¢ 12 SEER air conditioners at a significant discount. Doing so "...made us feel good," recalled Neeley, "and proud. First, because we were able to give something back to our community, and, second, because we work for a company like Luxaire that emphasizes the importance of doing just that."
Ovard agreed.
"I became a Luxaire distributor two years ago, not only because Luxaire makes a great product, but also because the company has a connection to the Make-A-Wish Foundation," said Ovard. "The partnership between Luxaire and Make-A-Wish represents a valuable marketing and recruiting tool that will help to establish the Luxaire name among dealers and consumers in this market. It also offers us the chance to help a deserving charity that benefits children in our own community."
Sharer could not be happier with the relationship between the two parties.
"The money we would have spent on our heating and air conditioning system was spent on other things we needed, helping us achieve our financial goal faster," said Sharer. "Our association with a recognizable name goes a long way toward creating the momentum that helps attract people and other organizations to our cause. That warms my heart."
Publication date: 03/22/2004
