Veteran thrilled to receive A/C unit

TAMARAC, Fla. (WSVN) -- A veteran has received a generous gift from a South Florida company.

Times are tough for military veteran Arnie Merl living in this brutal heat without air-conditioning, so the United Way wanted to show its appreciation for the sacrifices he made for our freedom. "Awful. It's been eight months we've been without air conditioning," Arnie said.

Friday morning, Arnie and his wife, Sharron, had a brand new air condition unit installed in their home. The United Way found the couple through their initiative, Mission United, which helps active servicemen and women and veterans in this community.

"This family has been participating with rebuilding together and remodeled their home," said United Way representative Nancy Vanneman, "and they've been on a waiting list for an air condition unit for over eight months, so they came to us and said there was a need, and we went to our partners to see if they could facilitate in getting them and air condition unit."

Cross Country Homes Services' new initiative operation, Appliance Aid, provides appliances to those veterans who need them. Arnie is a retired veteran of the New York National Guard who served from 1954 to 1960. "It's a great thing that they're doing," he said.

The United Way has helped about 300 veterans in the area since the beginning of the year.

(Copyright 2012 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)