ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) has been selected as a finalist for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center’s Corporate Citizenship Award in the category of U.S. Community Service.

ACCA is the only association in the field of finalists, which includes Southwest Airlines, Allstate, Deloitte & Touche, and Xcel Energy.

ACCA is being recognized for its annual nationwide “Heat the Country” program, where ACCA chapters and members volunteer their time, materials, and expertise to service or replace heating systems in the homes of the less fortunate.

“Each year, ACCA members fan out into their communities to help give back,” commented Paul Stalknecht, ACCA president and CEO. “We’re proud of them and honored that they are being recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Being included in a field of corporate giants like this demonstrates the power of small, community-based businesses to change lives in towns all across America.”

“Congratulations to ACCA for being named a 2008 finalist for the U.S. Community Service Award,” said Stephen Jordan, executive director of the Business Civic Leadership Center. “This year’s finalists reflect the many different ways associations and companies - both large and small - are contributing to the quality of life in the communities in which they operate.”

The U.S. Community Service Award, now in its 9th year, acknowledges businesses, chambers, and associations for corporate citizenship programs that contribute to social and civic progress in U.S. communities. Past winners have included Xerox and Morgan Stanley.

The winner of the U.S. Community Service Award will be selected by a panel of corporate citizenship leaders, including past winners and the Business Civic Leadership Center’s board of directors. The winner will be announced on Nov. 18 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.

All awards categories and finalists can be viewed at www.uschamber.com/bclc/awards. For more information about ACCA’s Heat the Country program, visit www.acca.org/heatthecountry.

Publication date: 09/15/2008