COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — On Tuesday, July 4, the owners of Apex Plumbing and HVAC donated a free water heater to a veteran’s family.
Just two weeks ago, on Friday, June 23, Apex Plumbing and HVAC announced they were looking for a veteran or a veteran’s family to give one to. They chose to give back to a military family because the owner, Robert Burk, is a veteran and cares deeply about his community.
“Okay, most people know the 4th of July, right? Fireworks, picnics, whatever,” Burke said, “but it’s actually a celebration of our country’s independence — and our country’s independence is being preserved by the people in our military. And without their service and commitment, we would not have the country we have now.”
According to Danielle Burk, Robert Burk’s wife, they chose a military family that was struggling to make ends meet.
The recipients of the free water heater were members of the Jenkins family.
Mr Jenkins (pictured above centre) was discharged from the military in 2013 due to a medical injury and was recently diagnosed with two types of cancer.
Eight people live in their house and the family has been without hot water for a month.
“Then my mom got the call, I want to say sometime last weekend,” said Gabrielle Jenkins, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. “She kind of broke down with crying … because of the expense.”
When their water heater failed, the home warranty couldn’t cover the cost of the repair — and neither could the Jenkins family.
“These people stood out,” Burke said. “They all met our criteria: a veteran, in distress, and they just stood out because they were also being taken advantage of in some way.”
The water heater will be installed on Wednesday, July 5 to help the Jenkins family, but was donated Tuesday, July 4 at a ceremony at American Legion Post #5 in downtown Colorado Springs.
Apex Plumbing and HVAC states that they aim to give back to the community in this way each year.
krdo.com
https://krdo.com/news/2023/07/04/veteran-owned-plumbing-company-donates-free-water-heater-to-veteran-family-in-need/
