ACHR News
search
Ask ACHR NEWS AI
cart
facebook twitter instagram linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Subscribe
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ACHR News
  • NEWS
    • Breaking News
    • New HVAC Products
    • Featured Products
    • Manufacturer Reports
    • HVAC Data
    • Legislation
    • ACHR NEWS Centennial
  • RESIDENTIAL
    • Air Conditioners
    • Furnaces
    • Residential Heat Pumps
    • Ductless
    • Residential IAQ
    • Testing, Monitoring, Tools
    • Components & Accessories
  • COMMERCIAL
    • Air Handlers
    • Rooftop Units
    • Chillers and Cooling Towers
    • Commercial Heat Pumps
    • Boilers and Hydronics
    • VRF/Ductless
    • Commercial IAQ
  • REFRIGERATION
    • Refrigerants
    • Refrigerant Regulations
    • Leak Management
  • CONTRACTOR PRO
    • Geothermal
    • Homeowner Study
    • VRF and VRV Ductless
    • Unitary Trends
  • EDUCATION
    • Training and Education
    • Business Management
    • Service and Maintenance
    • Continuing Education
    • Market Research >
      • HVAC Brand Awareness Report
      • VRV, VRF, VRVZ Report
      • Unitary Trends Report
      • Water Heat Professionals Report
    • Webinars
    • Sponsor Insights
    • eProducts Info
    • White Papers
  • EVENTS
    • HVAC Contractor Forum
    • Industry Events and Webinars
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
    • AHR Expo 2025 Videos
    • Podcasts >
      • ACHR News Podcast
      • HARDI Podcasts
      • AHR Expo Podcasts
      • ACCA Podcasts
    • Interactive Spotlights
    • Quizzes
    • eBooks
    • HVAC Talkback
  • HVAC GROUP
    • ACHR NEWS >
      • Current Issue
      • Digital Edition
      • Subscribe
    • Distribution Trends
    • SNIPS NEWS >
      • Join SNIPS NEWS
    • Engineered Systems News >
      • Join ES News
    • HVACR Directory
    • Contests
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • My Account
NewsHVAC Breaking News

Air Pros USA Teams up With Florida Gators Football and Alachua County Veteran Services Division

Local veteran is gifted with a free air conditioning unit

Perera
Air Pros USA Founder Anthony Perera. (Courtesy of Air Pros USA)
October 19, 2021

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida Gators Sports Properties and Air Pros USA came together for the annual “Saluting Those Who Serve” initiative to recognize a local veteran. Working with the Alachua County Veteran Services Division, Air Pros USA and the Florida Gators awarded 88-year-old Eddie Thomas, a decorated Korean War veteran, with a brand-new air conditioning unit and installation, free of charge.

Thomas was nominated by the Alachua County Veteran Services Division because of his service to the country, and he has a 23-year-old A/C unit in need of being replaced. Thomas served in the United States Air Force from 1954-1958, as well as during the Korean War. His service included overseeing security at his base in Germany as well as the K-9 units. Thomas said that the military was ahead of its times in terms of diversity and inclusion to put him in such a supervisory role at a young age.

 "I am so pleased that our local Korean War veteran, Eddie Thomas, was selected for this wonderful opportunity,” said Kim Davis, executive director for Alachua County Veteran Services Division. “Our Veteran Services Team is very dedicated to our veteran community as we strive to help them with their needs and when something special comes along, it warms our hearts to see a deserving veteran receive a life changing opportunity." 

During active-duty Thomas earned a Good Conduct Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Outstanding Unit Award, Small Arms Expert Award, the National Defense Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. Thomas, who is legally blind, still volunteers and serves on the Korean War Veterans of America Color Guard at veteran events and funerals. 

“Like many who call South Florida home, we are passionate about the Florida Gators and giving back to the community we serve,” said Anthony Perera, president of Air Pros USA. “Honoring those who have served our country will always be a priority for Air Pros USA not only with donations and giveaways but also in our hiring initiatives and event support.”

“We are excited that Air Pros, like several other prestigious companies, is joining us in our annual Saluting Those Who Serve initiative in supporting the Florida Gators,” said Scott Stricklin, athletics director at the University of Florida. “They are truly exemplary not only as one of the fastest growing Heating and Air Conditioning companies in the state, but also in their commitment to veterans and giving back.”

Want more HVAC industry news and information? Join The NEWS on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn today!

Looking for quick answers on air conditioning, heating and refrigeration topics? Try Ask ACHR NEWS, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ACHR NEWS →

KEYWORDS: charity and HVACR

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

 

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • HVAC-enrollment

    The Trades Are Back: HVACR Programs See Nearly 30% Enrollment Spike

    A new wave of future technicians is entering the pipeline.  
    News
    By: Matt Jachman
  • 2025 Top 40 Under 40

    2025 Top 40 Under 40 HVACR Professionals List

    The 11th annual Top 40 Under 40 list highlights those...
    HVAC Contracting
    By: Hannah Belloli-Oster
  • LG Ductless Mini-Split Systems

    The 9 Types of Heat Pumps

    As the U.S. moves toward electrification, heat pumps are...
    News
    By: Joanna R. Turpin
Subscription Center
  • Create an Account
  • Start a Subscription
  • Manage My Account
  • Sign Up for Newsletters
  • Visit Customer Service
  • Update Preferences

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to The News audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The News or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Piggy Bank
    Sponsored byWatercress Financial

    Energy Prices, Inflation, and HVAC: What Today’s Homeowners Care About

  • Refrigerated Food
    Sponsored bySolstice Advanced Materials

    R-455A Refrigeration: A Cold Storage Solution for the Future

  • Airex Rooftop Units
    Sponsored byAirex Manufacturing Inc

    Consolidating Roof Penetrations: A Growing Trend in Multifamily HVAC Design

Popular Stories

HVAC-Price-Increase-graphic

HVAC Price Increase List: June 2026

Trump-Section-232.jpg

Trump Reduces Section 232 Tariffs on HVAC Equipment to 15%

R410A-Refrigerant-Cylinder.jpg

Refrigerant Recovery is a Revenue Opportunity

Heat-pump-cutaway.jpg

PFAS Rules and A2L Building Codes Continue to Evolve

Kroger.jpg

Kroger to Spend $100 Million to Reduce Refrigerant Leaks

View The ACHR NEWS
Centennial Anniversary Timeline

The ACHR News Timeline Chart
Submit a Letter
Submit a letter to our editors.

Events

November 6, 2025

Next-Gen Data Center Cooling: HVAC Innovation and Real-World Solutions

On Demand As AI workloads and high-density computing push traditional cooling methods to their limits, the data center industry is accelerating the adoption of next-generation HVAC technologies.

June 9, 2026

Before You Go All In on AI: Set Up Your Business to Actually Win

In this webinar, we'll walk you through exactly what to get in place before you add AI to your business. You'll leave with a clear picture of where you stand today and a practical action plan to set yourself up for real results.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Summer Staff

Are you fully staffed for the summer season?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

BNI Mechanical/Electrical Square Foot Costbook, 2026 Edition

BNI Mechanical/Electrical Square Foot Costbook, 2026 Edition

See More Products
A2L Refrigerants - Free Webinar - May 21, 2026

Related Articles

  • Air Pros USA Continues Rapid Growth in South Florida with East Coast Mechanical Acquisition

    See More
  • Air-Pros

    Air Pros USA’s Donation Helps Raise Funds for Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County

    See More
  • Breaking News - The ACHR NEWS

    Air Pros USA Partners With Aeroseal to Offer Duct Sealing Services

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • Uncomplicating The Heat Pump: Refrigeration & Air Flow Systems DVD

See More Products

Events

View AllSubmit An Event
  • April 9, 2026

    Homeowner Expectations: Must Knows for Trades Pros

    On Demand From this webinar, attendees will learn how to meet rising consumer expectations while keeping day-to-day operations efficient. 
View AllSubmit An Event

Related Directories

  • UPE Co.

    End of life HVAC services, recovery & purchasing of Lithium Bromide Solution and refrigerants. We purchase air-cooled, absorption, centrifugal chillers and Rooftop Package Units. Do not scrap your old equipment until you speak to us.
×

Sign Up. Stay Informed.

The #1 trusted source for the HVACR industry since 1926

SUBSCRIBE
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Advisory Board
    • Classifieds
    • Submit a Letter
    • Directories
    • Store
  • ACCOUNT CENTER
    • Create an Account
    • Start a Subscription
    • Manage My Account
    • Sign Up for Newsletters
    • Visit Customer Service
    • Update Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2026. All Rights Reserved BNP Media, Inc. and BNP Media II, LLC.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing