Pontiac family receives free furnace after losing heat on Christmas Day

Ebony Jackson and her family are starting the new year off warmer thanks to Kotz Heating, Cooling and Plumbing of Waterford Township. Jackson woke up Christmas morning to the smell of gas, caused by her furnace, malfunctioning.

She called Kotz Heating, Cooling and Plumbing and Troy Bridger came out to her home in Pontiac and provided an estimate of approximately $4,000, which she said she couldn’t afford, not even with financing. She is the mother of four, and two of her children have disabilities.

Bridger went back to the office and told the owner, Frank Kotz, about the family. Kotz decided they would replace the furnace for free and called her back.

“I bawled my eyes out, I was so happy. It really means a lot to me,” said Jackson.

She said that 2017 had not been a good year for her, and she is very thankful for the generosity of this local business owner.

“Every year, we have people write in or contact us about people who need help,” said Frank Kotz.

“We budget $20,000 for those projects. Then we determine who we can help. It makes our whole company feel good,” His employees also donate their time to install heaters and provide plumbing repairs. “We believe in giving back,” he said.

— Kathy Blake, The Oakland Press