When businesses come together with a shared purpose, incredible things can happen. This fall, John Lock Air Conditioning & Heating, Lennox, and several Western New York companies joined forces to help a local family in need through the national Feel the Love program — and Abbey Mecca was proud to help make it happen.
A Tradition of Giving Back
For the third year in a row, John Lock Air Conditioning & Heating has partnered with Lennox to bring comfort and care to a deserving family as part of the Feel the Love program — a national initiative that provides free heating and cooling systems to households across North America.
“Our team looks forward to this every year,” said Mike Lock, President of John Lock Air Conditioning & Heating. “It’s one of the most meaningful things we do. We get to help a family stay warm and safe, and it reminds us why we’re proud to be part of this community.”
This year’s recipient — a single mother and her two sons — was nominated by the Rural Outreach Center (ROC), a nonprofit dedicated to helping families in Western New York’s rural communities overcome hardship and build sustainable futures. The family received a new Lennox furnace, installed just in time for winter, at their home in Colden, NY.
Going Beyond the Furnace
When Lock visited the family’s home to assess their existing system, he discovered additional issues — a failing hot water heater and an unsafe deck. Determined to do more, he rallied partners and local businesses to expand the project’s scope and meet those needs too.
Thanks to generous donations and teamwork, the effort grew into a true community collaboration, including:
- John Lock Air Conditioning & Heating & Lennox – installation of the new Lennox furnace and project coordination
- IRR Supply Centers – donation of a new hot water heater
- Gui’s Lumber – donation of pressure-treated lumber to repair and reinforce the deck
- VALU Home Centers & Valspar – donation of paint, stain, and supplies
- Abbey Mecca & Company – coordination of partners, volunteer recruitment, and on-site assistance with deck repair and refinishing
Take a look at the coverage from Channel 7 News, who stopped by to cover the story and highlight how local businesses came together to help the family.
Collaboration at Its Core
John Lock Air Conditioning & Heating, VALU Home Centers, and the Rural Outreach Center are all proud clients of Abbey Mecca & Company. When Mike Lock approached the agency about the Feel the Love promotion and the need for a family nomination, Abbey Mecca helped bring the right people together to make it happen.
“When Mike approached us about the Feel the Love promotion and the need for a family nomination, we immediately reached out to our client, the Rural Outreach Center,” said Dan Mecca, President of Abbey Mecca & Company. “The ROC identified a deserving family, and from there, everyone came together. What began as a furnace installation turned into something much bigger — a reminder of what’s possible when Western New York businesses unite for good.”
A Shared Commitment to Community
This project wasn’t just about installing a new system — it was about neighbors helping neighbors and local businesses using their resources and relationships to make a real impact.
Abbey Mecca is proud to have played a part in coordinating the effort and sharing this story of community spirit.
Together, these companies proved that when Western New York businesses work together, everyone truly feels the love.
