Heather Kwedder of Willoughby is the winner of our 3rd annual Helping Hann Furnace Giveaway. We provided her with a free furnace and installation, including labor and materials.

Kwedder’s 23-year-old son Rick is chronically ill and has been hospitalized on and off throughout his life. While her husband John is Rick’s full-time caregiver, Heather has had to take leaves of absence from her nursing job when lengthy hospital stays require more attention than one person can provide.

It was during one such period of financial burden in December when the family’s 17-year-old furnace stopped working. Kwedder was nominated for the furnace giveaway by her mother, Sherri Pierce.

“I am in shock and speechless,” Kwedder said. “Life has been so stressful for so long. Not having to worry about the furnace takes one thing off our plate and helps ease that stress. I have no idea how to begin to thank this company. I am so very grateful. What a testament to the idea of taking care of each other and our communities.”

Brothers Bill and Chris Hann are the fourth generation of family members to own Verne & Ellsworth Hann, Inc. The Helping Hann contest was created as a way to give back to the community.

“Heather’s story touched us, and it was our pleasure to provide her and her family peace of mind with a new furnace and installation,” Chris Hann said.