Alexandra Rudnitskas poses for a picture with Lennox Territory Manager Luke Galvanoni and C&C Heating and Air Condtioning Managing Director Josh Hill in front of her new HVAC system. Photo by John Worthington | The Reporter.
C&C Heating and Air Conditioning installed the system at the Collegeville residence of Alexandra and Raymond Rudnitskas
A local family battling cancer received an extraordinary gift Thursday, October 9 with the donation of a new HVAC system by a Souderton furnace repair business.
C&C Heating and Air Conditioning installed the system at the Collegeville residence of Alexandra and Raymond Rudnitskas.
“I feel like Miss America. I feel like I’m holding two dozen long stem red roses and getting a crown,” said Alexandra Rudnitskas through tears. “It’s overwhelming.”
The family’s 20-year-old HVAC system had begun deteriorating over the past two years. On hot summer days, Rudnitskas struggled to maintain a comfortable temperature for her husband, Raymond, who was undergoing treatment for metastatic cancer.
“He gets nuclear radioactive treatments, and when he does that, he sweats profusely, and he’s in bed for probably a week of time afterwards,” said Rudnitskas.
Earlier this year, C&C informed Rudnitskas that the home’s HVAC system was approaching the end of its lifespan and needed to be replaced, a stiff cost for the family burdened with significant medical bills.
“I was running on empty in so many ways, emotionally, financially,” said Rudnitskas.
But during a drive, Rudnitskas received a phone call from Steve Mancino, C&C’s marketing director, who revealed that the company would be donating a brand-new HVAC system provided by Lennox, a nationwide supplier.
“I couldn’t believe something like this could happen,” said Rudnitskas. “It was unimaginable.”
The donation is part of Lennox’s “Feel the Love” program, which partners with dealers to install free HVAC systems for “deserving” individuals. As part of the program, dealers nominate homeowners or businesses, while Lennox selects the winners.
“Lennox donates the equipment, C&C donates the time and labor, and then we help out a family or business in need,” said Lennox Territory Manager Luke Galvanoni.
After hearing Rudnitskas’s story, Josh Hill, C&C’s Managing Director, quickly submitted her nomination.
“It was an easy nomination once I heard the story,” said Hill. “We all know somebody who’s going through a cancer battle. We know it impacts every family anywhere.”
Hill described the donation as a reflection of C&C’s family values. A family-owned and operated company, C&C was founded in 1972 by Will Cordero, a Vietnam veteran. The company has previously donated free HVAC systems to local veterans in honor of its veteran roots.
“We’re big about helping the company,” said Hill. “Everyone falls on bad times, but we want to help people at their worst times.”
With her new HVAC system installed, Rudnitskas expressed nothing but gratitude to C&C.
“I spent my whole life in business. I’ve never seen such an event unfold in anybody’s life that I know, let alone my own,” said Rudnitskas. “Now I’ve got help, and I’m just so grateful. I can’t even put more words to it.”
