Heights HVAC company picks recipient in annual furnace giveaway
Verne & Ellsworth Hann Inc., the Cleveland Heights-based heating and cooling company, selected Heather Kwedder of Willoughby as the winner in its third annual Helping Hann Furnace Giveaway. The company 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, Kwedder 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’s mother, Sherri Pierce, nominated her for the furnace giveway.
After nominations closed in February, Verne & Ellsworth Hann’s owners interviewed deserving entrants and selected six finalists. Their names were placed in a hat for a random drawing conducted via video on Facebook.
“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 the HVAC business, and members of the family’s fifth generation also work there. They created the Helping Hann contest 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. “Helping Hann is the highlight of our year and we look forward to continuing the tradition.”
Verne & Ellsworth Hann Inc. is located at 2026 Lee Road in Cleveland Heights. For more information, visit www.vehbrothers.com.
Bob Rosenbaum
Cleveland Heights resident Bob Rosenbaum is co-chair of the Heights Observer Advisory Committee, and is responsible for its advertising sales and market development.