POCATELLO — Rocky Stone admitted that in his old age he’s a little more emotional. Having been willing and generous most of his life, he was teary-eyed as the Barlow’s Aire Force One workers installed a new gas furnace Thursday afternoon.
The gift brought welcomed warmth to a cold winter day.
“I believe there are angels walking among us,” Rocky said. “I guess, what goes around comes around. I never thought I’d get help when I needed it.”
Rocky and Pat Stone said the small gas stove-fireplace in the living room of their Ninth Avenue home went out about a month ago. Prior to that stove being installed about 15-16 years ago, the couple went through two wood-burning stoves and a gas furnace that was well used when they moved into their home.
For the past three weeks, the couple and their two Jack Russell/Chihuahuas have been trying to stay warm with an electric heater they call their “campfire.”
Rocky, who is in his 70s, said the new furnace will help heat the whole house. Previous heating appliances did not circulate the air well and they had to use fans to blow air to different parts of their home. He said when they were working they would give generously, now that they are retired it was a blessing to be recipients.
“I’m damn happy I have a nice furnace,” he said. “It’s a blessing. I’m glad there are people who take care of people who get in a pickle.”
Mark Barlow, an electrician for Aire Force One, said the furnace that was replaced was about 60 years old. This is the second year the company has given away a new furnace to someone in the community. In November, the company started taking nominations for people in need and after reviewing the nominee families, it selected the Stones.
Barlow said Carrier, the furnace manufacturer, donated the furnace and Barlow’s donated the installation.
“It’s going to make a huge difference in comfort,” he said.
He said furnace will be more efficient and could cost about 30-40 percent less in heating costs than what the Stones would pay using the electric heater.
“Thanks to whoever did this for me,” Rocky said. “It’s a really good Christmas present. There is a Santa Claus.”
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