Friend's essay, company's generosity provide new furnace for Island Lake woman
When temperatures plunge these days, Corinne DeCicco is all smiles, thanks to the writing ability of a friend and the generosity of a suburban heating and air conditioning company and its suppliers.
DeCicco's formerly frigid Island Lake home is now warmed by a new furnace and water heater — all installed for free and as a complete surprise.
DeCicco's good fortune came just in time. This fall, after years of repairs, her furnace stopped working. Informed there was no way to fix it, and not having the funds to purchase a new one, she did the best she could with a borrowed space heater. Even so, the temperature in her home routinely dropped into the 50s, and colder days loomed ahead.
Fortunately for DeCicco, her friend Ana Fuentes happened to be listening to the radio one day and heard about a contest sponsored by Comfort 24-7, an organization of heating and air conditioning contractors and suppliers. The group was looking to give away furnaces to worthy people.
Fuentes, who works with DeCicco at Starbucks in Lake Zurich, immediately thought of the ever-cheerful DeCicco.
“When customers come in and they're having a bad day, Corinne will take time to comfort them — to put a smile on their faces,” said Fuentes, a Lake Zurich resident. “She is always taking time to connect with people. We call her the hugger.”
A single mother working two jobs, Fuentes found time to compose a 500-word essay explaining DeCicco's desperate need and powerful spirit, including her friend's eight-year fight against cancer and resultant pile of medical bills.
“I wanted to give a little help — but I knew it was a long shot,” recalled Fuentes, who had never won a contest for herself or for anyone else.
That long shot paid off. Fuentes' words — and DeCicco's story — were selected by Comfort 24-7 as one of several furnace winners from across the Chicago area.
“I was crying,” the still-stunned DeCicco said of the moment she learned of Fuentes' winning effort. “I mean, this woman has three children, works two jobs and writes a 500-word essay on her phone as she's making dinner.”
When DeCicco asked her why she took the time to be so kind, Fuentes answered, “That's the way it's supposed to be.”
In mid-December, a crew from V.M. O'Leary Sheet Metal & Heating of Cary showed up at DeCicco's home, eager to make the home where she was born and raised comfortable in time for Christmas.
“We've always enjoyed helping someone,” said Judy O'Leary, whose company has provided free installation for the Comfort 24-7 holiday contest in the past. “We got the opportunity again this year.”
As soon as Judy's husband, Vince, met DeCicco, he knew his company was doing the right thing.
“She made my holiday season,” said Vince O'Leary, adding he was immediately impressed by her positive energy and heartfelt gratitude. “It was just fun to do the work for her.”
While the Comfort 24-7 network covered the cost of a basic furnace, the O'Learys felt more was needed to adequately warm the older home. On their own, the O'Learys upgraded the furnace to a larger model. As the project progressed, it became clear the water heater needed to be replaced and vents moved. The O'Learys also installed programmable thermostats in order to make the home as energy efficient as possible.
“I was floored by our suppliers and their generosity,” said Judy O'Leary, who added the company found many of their vendors were eager to kick in a little more on such a worthy project.
In the end, the O'Learys and their vendors covered the entire cost of the upgraded system and water heater.
“I love what I do,” Vince O'Leary said. “I can't solve world peace, but I can help people stay warm.”
DeCicco remains amazed at the kindness she experienced this winter.
“Never in my life would I think anybody would give me a furnace,” DeCicco said. “I have never had heat like this in 20 years. I am so blessed — sometimes may face hurts from smiling. This is truly an answered prayer.”