BUFFALO, N.Y. - Fifteen elderly, low-income homeowners in the city of Buffalo benefited from the first Heat's On event in that city. Heat's On is a community initiative carried out by member contractors and union employees of the Piping & Service Industry Coalition (P&SIC).

Homes in the Kensington-Bailey area of the city were visited by union service technicians from several P&SIC-member contractors who provided pre-winter homeowner help with maintaining heating systems. Those P&SIC-member contractors who participated included: Carrier Corp., Cheektowaga; D.V. Brown & Associates Inc., Tonawanda; Danforth Co. Inc, Tonawanda; Hoot LLC, Lockport; Mollenberg-Betz Inc., Buffalo; and York International Corp., Rochester.

Local 22 members performed furnace or boiler inspections, some general start-up checks and cleaning, as well as making some minor repairs and replacements to filters and belts, P&SIC representatives said.

"This was a great way for the P&SIC, its member contractors, and union employees to give back to the local community," said P&SIC president H. Van Mollenberg, "We provided $15,000 worth of free heating repairs to a total of 15 inner-city homes."

While the Heat's On initiative has occurred in other parts of the country, this is the first time it has taken place in Buffalo, P&SIC officials said.

"We're happy to play the role we're playing and hope that next year Heat's On will grow to include many more deserving homeowners who need this kind of help," said Local No. 22 business manager Michael McNally.

Publication date: 11/14/2005