The Conway family of Drayton was the recipient of a new high-efficiency furnace during one of the coldest days this winter.
With temperatures below -25C the family stayed warm in the home during the transition.
Three-year-old Evan Conway is receiving treatments for leukemia at McMaster Hospital in Hamilton. The furnace installation is one of many ways residents of Mapleton Township and surrounding area have come together in support of the Conway family.
Neighbour Matt Dorscht, spearheaded the furnace replacement. A salesman for Arthurs Fuel in Grand Valley, Dorscht approached company owners Brian and Scott Arthurs, shared the Conway family’s story and asked what the company could do.
Dorscht then phoned York, a furnace supplier to Arthurs Fuel, and inquired about their interest in helping the family. York agreed to donate a furnace to the Conway family and Arthurs Fuel came on board to supply the installation and any needed materials at no charge.
York regional sales manager Paul Anderson invited Dorscht to Mississauga to pick up the furnace. York officials were pleased to help the family and sent best wishes to Evan.
On the morning of Jan. 14, shortly after 9:30am, employees Alex Goss and Jeff Hart of Arthurs Fuel removed the aging York furnace from the Conway’s basement.
Installation of a new 96 per cent efficient furnace began immediately.
“It was an expense that the family didn’t need if their old furnace broke down. A random act of kindness that was easy to do,” Dorscht said.
At mid-morning, Matt Mullen, owner of The Upper Room family restaurant in Drayton, donated breakfast to Goss and Hart, who said they were thankful for the hot breakfast, noting it felt great to help the family.
Arthurs Fuel co-owner Scott Arthurs stated, “The company is more than happy to help out in the communities that we deal in. I have three-year-old twins so the Conway family’s story touched my heart. We are happy that they have one less thing to worry about at this time.”
By late afternoon, the furnace installation was complete and the Conway family was enjoying the warmth and comfort of its new furnace.
“A huge thank you to Arthurs Fuels and Matt Dorscht for the installation. Also to York for the furnace,” said mother Maggie Conway.
