A welcome gift of warmth

A Grafton family is thankful for the warmth of a furnace donated by a local business and charitable organization after their much-needed appliance went out of commission.   

Slava Krol, co-owner of K Komfort Heating & Cooling in Grafton and second vice-president of the Grafton Lions Club, learned about a family that needed a furnace last summer.

“The Lions have a lot of connections in the community, and somebody found a family desperate for a new furnace,” Krol said.

The Lions Club learned about the family through the Ozaukee Council of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Joseph Parish in Grafton. 

Krol said the family had medical expenses and couldn’t afford a new furnace for their mobile home. 

“Their furnace was old and it was no longer safe for them to use because they were at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning,” he said.

Initially, Krol sought the assistance from a national program that would provide a free furnace courtesy of the manufacturer, but because the family lived in a “non-traditional home,” the company did not have a model that would fit.

The Lions and Krol didn’t let that stop them and took the matter into their own hands.

The club reimbursed Krol for the furnace, and he covered the cost of labor and installation, which totaled about $2,000. 

The furnace was installed in October just before the cold settled in.

“With the winter we’re having now, I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like not having a working furnace,” Krol said. “It would not have been a pretty situation, and our hearts were warmed because we could help them.”

Krol wants to make this an annual cause for his company and the Lions Club. 

“Furnaces are an expensive appliance that often go overlooked when you think about giving back,” he said. “I hope our effort can help more people who are less fortunate and don’t have an outlet for help.”

K Komfort opened in the village two years ago, and Krol said he is seeking to make a difference for his community. Krol’s business participates in community events and supports the Grafton Little League.

The company has a second location near Appleton operated by Krol’s sister, who does a similar charitable offering each year.

“Part of our philosophy is to participate in the community. We want to make a difference,” Krol said.