Comfort a Hero 2024 –
Michael Baker

• United States Army
• Princeton, IL

Congratulations to Michael Baker from Princeton. Michael will have a complete home system installed with the help from Rheem, Starved Rock Radio, and Triple Service. Michael served in the United States Army and is an advocate in his community with the Flags of Freedom, along with his work with the disabled veterans. Michael served our country for 16 years in the Army and now serves his community as well. Thank you Tiffany for nominating your husband and sharing his story with us. Michael, thank you for your dedication and service.

“My husband served in the US Army for 16 years. He has always done his best to provide for our family. We do not know how old our heating and cooling system is. My husband had provided well but we are afraid that they will quit at any time. He works consistently but due to work constraints he does not always get 40 or more hours. We love our house and our son lives with us. I know he is deserving due to his 16 years of service to the military and he continues to serve our community by dedication with the flags of freedom. Michael, Thank you for your dedication and service.”

Comfort a Hero 2023 –
James Joslin

• United States Army
• Earlville, IL

Congratulations to James “Jim” Joslin of Earlville. Jim will have a complete home system installed with the help from Rheem, Staved Rock Radio and Triple Service. Jim served in the United States Army and is an advocate for PTSD and Veteran Mental Health. Jim works at Silver Springs State Park, and served our country in the Army in both Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Thank you Deb for nominating your husband sharing his story with us. Jim, Thank you for your dedication and service.

Comfort a Hero 2022 –
Aaron Williams

• United States Marine Corp.
• Streator, IL

Aaron’s dad nominated him, saying: “Aaron is my hero because of who he is and what he’s overcome to be the man he is today. Aaron is a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, having spent 4 years in active duty. Primarily due to his experiences as a Marine and because of other young adulthood life experiences, he began struggling with varying levels of anxiety and panic attacks. Through those struggles, he tried to battle his way through but developed a dependency on alcohol and into alcoholism. I have always cherished the knowledge of Aaron’s service in the USMC and what it meant to him as well as to all of the members of his family. Yes, he’s had his struggles, but with his determination and efforts to succeed, he has finally done so. Along the way, he’s earned my respect and all of my love and he’s not only my son, my hero but he’s also become my best friend.”

Comfort a Hero 2020 –
Herschel Tolley

• United States Air Force
• Sublette, IL

Herschel Tolley is an 87 year old Atomic Korean War Veteran, who served in the US Air Force. He was stationed on the Marshall Islands during the DOD’s testing of the nuclear bombs, when the enlisted men were issued a pair of sunglasses & a badge that measured the radiation exposure then ordered to stand on the beach to watch the nuclear testing. He has gone through several surgeries to remove the cancer spots caused by the exposure to the radiation in the bomb testing. In addition to his military service, Herschel is the sole caretaker to his wife of 67 years, Minnie, who suffers with Alzheimer’s. Herschel would benefit greatly from a new home comfort unit. He, currently, has 2 Rheem furnaces. One was installed in 1990 in a former ceramics shop he owns and the other was installed in his house in 1995. Both these units have been incurring problems. A new unit would resolve the issue pertaining to one.

Comfort a Hero 2019 –
Michael McFarland

• United States Marine Corp.
• Peru, IL

Michael McFarland proudly served in the Marines from Oct 1986-1990. He purchased his home in 2000 as a fixer upper, and had a furnace installed in 2007. Due to a hidden leak in his kitchen sink, the furnace located in the basement has been overtaken by rust. Michael has continued work in spite of his leg being amputated due to diabetes in 2016. “Mike’s current system has many safety concerns, specifically concerning the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and has been advised to not run the unit. His system is in desperate need of replacing, and thanks to his friends and family for nominating him, that’s exactly what we will do.” Wade says.

Comfort a Hero 2018 –
Alex Kaszynski

• United States Army
• Peru, IL

My grandpa, Alex Kaszynski is 93 year old US Army veteran of World War II. He was injured and received a purple heart after suffering from a major leg injury caused by bomb shrapnel in Luzon, Philippines. He relearned to walk for around 6 months after that incident in February of 1945 and returned back to war until he was discharged. He was one of six brothers who went away to war. Granda Alex was recently was diagnosed with Mesothelioma and his wife passed away in 2016. I would love to see some happiness brought his way because he truly deserves it, he is the definition of a true hero. My grandma loves to spend time at his house with his cat Lucky. Would be great to see if Lucky (the cat) brought him some luck!