In Hanover and King William counties, Blazer Heating, Air, & Plumbing has become a champion for Habitat for Humanity. For more than two years, the local business has worked to share their unique skills and expertise to directly change the lives of community members. 

Blazer Heating, Air, & Plumbing has become a valued partner in every aspect of Habitat’s organization and “sets the standard for what it means to be a business that cares about its community,” according to nominator Debbie Preston. In the Critical Repair program, the Blazer team provides no-cost HVAC replacement or repair for low-income homeowners who cannot afford to fix their units. They also drop off scrap HVAC materials for the Habitat recycling program; when recycled, these then turn into funding for other programs. This not only helps the Habitat mission but also reduces waste in the landfills. Blazer also provides new heating, air, and plumbing-related materials to the Habitat ReStores, which are sold at a discount to customers, with proceeds benefitting other Habitat programs.  

This past summer, Blazer provided a free HVAC system and installation for a single mother with two children, one of whom has asthma as well as Von Willebrand disease, a rare bleeding disorder which is worsened by unregulated temperatures. The mother also has asthma and her other child has eczema, all of which are exacerbated by heat. Blazer quickly replaced the family’s HVAC unit before the weather became dangerously hot. The mother said the process, “moved quickly and I feel relieved knowing there are people to help someone like me… I feel so much safer. It will keep my son from overheating and having extremely bad nose bleeds, which can be next to uncontrollable due to [his disease.]” 

Last winter, Blazer also replaced an HVAC system for a disabled senior couple who had no heat during dangerously cold temperatures. They had been relying solely on their emergency heat which caused the electric bill to be extremely high. They now have an energy-efficient unit that provides significant savings. Their support enables Habitat for Humanity to do more and serve a greater number of people in the community. More than a partner that simply shows up for a photo op, Blazer is a partner all year long and continuously do more to invest in Habitat’s mission. They have increased their financial donation, but more than that, their support of the organization and mission has become a part of their values. 

“As a resident of Hanover County for over 50 years, I would be challenged to find a business that has provided a greater depth of support across all areas of operation to Hanover and King William Habitat ReStore more than Blazer Heating, Air and Plumbing,” reports Rick Holzbach of the Hanover and King William Habitat for Humanity ReStore. In recognition of their excellence, Blazer Heating, Air & Plumbing was also the recipient of the 2023 Hanover County Commitment to Community Volunteerism Award.