Nearly 70 volunteers from the Madison Area Mechanical and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (MSC) and United Association (UA) Steamfitters Local 601 serviced the homes of 59 veterans during the 34th Annual Heat’s On event on Saturday, October 8, 2022. The annual event ensures the safety of those who served our country.
During the event, service technicians discovered a furnace in need of replacement and a few that will require follow-up visits. MSC member 1901 Inc. is coordinating with the veteran homeowner to schedule the furnace replacement. Hooper Corporation will be replacing a water heater and following up on several other part repairs. All labor and supplies are complimentary to the homeowners. Temperature Systems Inc. is providing the furnace replacement and First Supply will provide the water heater.
“I really appreciate stuff like this; people doing stuff for the military,” explained U.S. Air Force Veteran Stan Hook. “It’s nice to know you are appreciated. There’s a lot of vets that probably can’t afford to have this done on a regular basis and this is just something that helps them out and makes sure they have heat throughout the winter. I want to thank those that participated; really appreciate their commitment to military people.”
The Heat’s On event has checked and serviced over 2,600 homes in Dane County since the event’s inception in 1987. The event originated when two elderly individuals froze to death when the temperatures dropped because their furnace was not working properly. The association and local union initially created the program to help the poor and elderly stay warm throughout the winter. In 2015, Heat’s On began checking furnaces for veterans.
Contractors participating in this year’s event were: 1901, Inc., Air Temperature Services, Bassett Mechanical, Butters-Fetting, Hooper Corporation, Ideal Mechanical, and JM Brennan. The Waldinger Corporation, TOTAL Mechanical, Trane, and Zone Mechanical provided trucks for the technicians to use to service the furnaces. First Supply, Gustave A. Larson, Johnstone Supply, and Temperature Systems Inc. donated the materials used to repair any broken furnaces.
“We were overwhelmed with the support we received from our volunteers this year and are proud to see how the program can grow in the future,” said MSC Executive Director Julie Walsh. “This continues to be my favorite day of the year! The gratitude and appreciation we receive from the veterans is priceless!”
The service technicians volunteered their Saturday morning to service the veterans’ furnaces. Many of the technicians have participated in Heat’s On year-after-year.
“I don’t know a better way, with the skills that we learned through the union, and trades to serve the veterans that gave us the freedom that we have now,” said Army veteran and 1901 Inc. steamfitter Mike Johnson.
The event lets service technicians hear stories from our veterans, giving them a new appreciation for all that the homeowners have done for our country. “It’s not about cleaning the furnace on a day like today,” explained The Waldinger Corporation’s Dan Swanson, who is also currently serving in the Army National Guard. “It’s about the interactions with the veterans.” Sixteen of the service technicians who volunteered for Heat’s On are veterans themselves.
The annual Heat’s On event gives the veteran homeowners comfort and the peace of mind for the coming winter. In some cases, the event is lifesaving.
