COLUMBUS, Ohio - Steve Wagner of Refrigeration Sales Corp., Cleveland, had to shoulder a heavy burden when his son, Chris, was called up to fight in Iraq. But he didn't have to shoulder the burden alone. Other contractors, members of the Central Ohio chapter of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), rallied around the family. The contractors formed an "ACCA Cares" fund to send Care Packages to troops overseas on a regular basis. The group has received a list of needed items; cash donations will also be accepted, and the chapter will make purchases on their members' behalf.

According to Jeff Reed, the chapter president, "With hundreds of thousands of U.S. troops deployed around the world ... sometimes it's difficult to comprehend how the [chapter] could ever be affected." When they found out that Chris Wagner was sent to Iraq, "we knew it was time to show Chris and others that they are appreciated and have not been forgotten."

For more information or to make a donation, contact Reed at Custom Air Conditioning & Heating, Gahanna, Ohio, at 614-552-4822; jreed@customairco.com.

Publication date: 06/07/2004