Friedrich Air Conditioning, San Antonio, has donated air conditioning units to a historic Chicago theater and a San Antonio ministry that helps impoverished families in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.

In Piedras Negras, the Templo Aleluya Church previously could not afford the electric bills for air conditioning. However, a number of churches along with the San Antonio non-profit Aleluya Ministries of Hope donated money for a solar panel system that can now produce the electricity to run the donated air conditioning.

“Friedrich proudly supports this ministry which is willing to give courageously despite the risks faced in this dangerous area of Mexico to help poor children and their mothers enjoy a higher quality of life,” said Wink Chapman, vice president of sales and marketing, Friedrich Air Conditioning.

“At Templo Aleluya, we had tried swamp coolers in the dining room where the children meet, but they could not handle the 120-degree heat and the large number of kids. Also, the kitchen is part of the same room so the heat from cooking contributed to the problem,” said Ted Bailey, president of the non-profit group. Friedrich donated three 2.5 ton ductless mini split systems and two 8,000 Btu window air conditioners to the ministry. The new mini splits at Aleluya Church will cool the sanctuary and the dining/kitchen area.

Rey de Reyes, another church in Piedras Negras, also received a donation. At Rey de Reyes the window units cool the sanctuary, kitchen, and nursery.

Aleluya Ministries feeds over 80 children plus their mothers each day at Templo Aleluya. Rey de Reyes has about 150 youth in its mission churches.

“Friedrich takes great pride in extending a helping hand to our neighbors in Mexico, especially children and mothers who struggle daily to survive in an area plagued by peril,” said Chapman.

Also benefitting from a Friedrich donation was a Chicago theater in the building now known as Broadway Armory Park. It received two Friedrich ductless split systems. Built in 1916, the Chicago structure was originally Winter Garden Ice Skating Rink, and by the end of World War I was modified as an armory operated by the National Guard for drilling and training. In 1998, it was purchased by the Chicago Park District, making it the park district’s largest indoor recreational facility. Jackalope Theatre Company turned the unused military garage within the park into a 60-seat theater.

Thanks to the Friedrich donation, for the first time in history, the Chicago theater is now air conditioned. “People loved our shows, but did not enjoy sitting through two hours in a non-air conditioned theater. This new system will allow our patrons and actors to experience our theater comfortably year-round,” said Nate Silver, managing director of the Jackalope Theatre Company.

“For decades, the people of Chicago have supported our company by choosing our products to cool their homes and businesses efficiently. We are pleased to make this donation to add to the comfort level of such a worthwhile organization that is focused on making its community a better place for both youth and adults as well as offering them an avenue to express creativity and engage in performances,” said Chapman.

For more information, visit www.friedrich.com.

Publication date: 7/6/2015

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