William Barnes, president of Ellsworth's Heating & Cooling, Inc., and staff, have a magic touch when it comes to randomly picking the winner of their annual Christmas in July free air conditioning unit giveaway.
The giveaway has, year after year, benefitted someone who could really use a new unit.
This year, the winner is Mary Marshall, a North Fort Myers resident who said she and her family can really use the new air conditioner.
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The winner of this year’s Ellsworth Christmas in July free air conditioner was Mary Marshall, pictured with Ellsworth’s William Barnes.
ANDREA GALABINSKI
For the last five years, winners have been special. One was an elderly resident who is blind, one was a single mom, one was a was a resident who had medical issues and now this year, it was another resident with medical issues in the family.
Each year in the second week of August, Barnes meets with the winner to go over the paperwork and install a new air conditioning and duct work, an estimated $4,000 value.
"I was both excited and relieved when I heard I won," said Marshall. "My old air conditioner had some issues, and my husband is very ill, so this is a blessing for us. And someone from another company said they couldn't even get the parts to fix our current system."
Her husband John had a stroke two years ago. The new unit will not only keep him comfortable, "but improve air flow and air quality, and save them money on their electric bill," said Barnes.
"I read about the giveaway in the North Fort Myers Neighbor last year," Marshall said. I was so excited I'd won the first thing I did was tell everyone at our church. My husband is also very excited."
It is a no-strings attached giveaway, Barnes added. "This is a joy, a highlight of the year for me. Over the years we have winners that could really use it."
Barnes said they will do the giveaway again next summer. Residents fill out ballots at their business and various locations around town throughout July of each year, and the winner gets the new air conditioner in August.
Ellsworth's Heating & Cooling Inc. is at 1905 North Tamiami Trail. North Fort Myers. Call 995-6005 for more information.
