American Residential Services (ARS), one of the nation's largest providers of air conditioning, heating, and plumbing services, is rewarding free equipment and installations of HVAC systems and hot water heaters to the honorees of its ARS Cares Healthcare Heroes program across its entire national network. Following a three-week nomination process, deserving healthcare workers throughout the country will receive a new HVAC system or water heater.

"Our healthcare workers have been selfless during one of our country's most trying times, and ARS Cares' Healthcare Heroes program is all about recognizing this sacrifice," said Luis Orbegoso, president and COO of ARS. "ARS received nominations from across the U.S., as the outpouring of support was inspiring. Surprising the recipients with these free systems and installations is something that is truly rewarding for our team and demonstrates that gratitude we have for them."

Following the announcement of the ARS Cares Healthcare Heroes program on May 13, family, friends, and co-workers were invited to share stories of why they felt these front-line workers were deserving of home improvements that would deliver relief and relaxation. Each ARS branch then selected a deserving honoree. HVAC and water heater system installations began the week of June 8.

Below are just a few examples of deserving recipients across the United States:

Nominated by her sister to receive a new HVAC system, Tyra White has served as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Greensboro, North Carolina, for more than 30 years, dedicating her life to supporting and helping others. Described as dedicated and hardworking, White continues to put her patients above herself, even while managing her own lupus diagnosis. With her old HVAC system failing, ARS / Rescue Rooter Greensboro replaced the unit on June 11.

Ursula Jones, who served in the U.S. Navy, is a registered nurse at the V.A. Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, where she has been able to care for fellow veterans. She returned to work after an eight-month recovery from a motorcycle accident, jumping right into battle the COVID-19 pandemic. In need of a new water heater, Conway Services completed installation on June 11.

Karen Falco, a Baltimore-based nurse at Johns Hopkins Bayview, was nominated to receive a new HVAC system by a close friend. Falco is a mother of five and has faced especially difficult circumstances during this crisis, including the return of an aggressive bone cancer in her 16-year-old son and declining health of her father. Unable to take on additional shifts at work, she recently had her A/C break. Described by her friends as graceful and compassionate, a new HVAC system was installed on June 9 by Blue Dot Services.

The ARS Cares initiative was launched in 2016 to cultivate positive relationships with communities. Since that time, more than 90 home services makeovers have been completed, donating more than $500,000 of HVAC systems and water heaters to deserving recipients. To learn more about ARS Cares, visit www.ars.com/ars-cares.