TRAVERSE CITY -- A young Traverse City family is enjoying a brand new furnace in this cold weather.
A Traverse City heating company chose the Shumar family as the winner of its free furnace contest. 7&4's Kate Fox was there when the family found out they won.
The Shumars say the gift of warmth feels so good after a really rough year.
George Shumar says, "I've been laid off for a while, she got laid off a few months ago, so were just working off the one income for her, and then we had the baby and she had some sickness that we had to go through the hospital and all that."
Owners of Precision Plumbing Leslie and Bob Roe say after going through over 60 nominations it was clear who the most deserving family was.
Leslie Roe says, "A lot of really hard knocks, their home is 118 years old and the furnace is about 60 years old, very inefficient they expense of running this furnace is something we could really help them with."
The new furnace will save the family nearly 300 dollars in heating costs each month, but the family says it means much more than just money. It means peace of mind knowing their baby has a warm home.
Kimberly Shumar says, "Her nursery is upstairs but nervous to leave her upstairs so it's something now that we can put her in her room, hopefully let her enjoy it."
The Roe’s say even after four years of doing the makeover contest the satisfaction of helping out those in need never gets old.
Bob Roe says, "Both Leslie and I grew up and were raised in this community, we love this town, and it's just one tangible way we can give back to people in this town."
