LAS VEGAS -- A blast of cold weather will seep into the Las Vegas valley Wednesday night, ushering in the first official day of winter. But not everyone has the ability to turn up their heat to keep warm.
That's why two local organizations are teaming up to provide services for seniors who need a little help.
For the last two winters, Rosa and Luther Kendrick used space heaters to stay warm. But today they got a brand new heating unit. Now their kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be enjoying Christmas at their home.
"Everybody coming into town. Can't say, 'It's cold in here,' they'll be saying, 'Oh, it's nice and comfortable and warm,' and as the loving celebration going on and that's going to be the height of it," said Luther Kendrick.
More than Christmas present, this is an unexpected anniversary gift. Rosa and Luther got married Christmas Day 62 years ago.
A Catholic Charities Meals-on-Wheels case worker was delivering food when she found out the Kendrick's had no heat. They called Yes Air Conditioning and Plumbing, who asked Goodman Manufacturing to donate an HVAC system.
The Kendrick's thought they were getting repairs today, but instead technicians installed this brand new unit.
"Between the pipes freezing inside your home, plus just your personal well being, you've got to have some heat -- comfort inside the home. So it's nice that we could bring some comfort to the family right before Christmas," said Lance Fernandez with Yes.
Fernandez says the heat exchanger was cracked and the unit was beyond repairs.
The Kendrick's aren't alone, though. The company has helped nine other families with HVAC services as part of their Heat for the Holidays program.
The value of the equipment and work was $8,000, but the Kendrick's say it was priceless. They're both on a fixed income retired from cleaning and helping build Las Vegas casinos.
