The 2024 Rheem Difference Makers Going Above and Beyond in Their Communities
January 9, 2025
As another year draws to a close, the entire Rheem family of brands is celebrating how its partners gave back to their communities this year, in ways both big and small.
Started in 2022, the Difference Maker Award recognizes Rheem and Ruud Pro Partners who go above and beyond to support the causes they care about. Winners earn a $10,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
This year’s Difference Makers helped support a range of local causes to help improve their communities and the lives of the people in them. Here are just some of the ways that Rheem and Ruud Pro Partners are stepping up for to make change across the country.
2024 Rheem Difference Maker Award Winners
Sparrow Heating & Air Conditioning and Warrior Ranch Foundation
Sparrow Heating & Air Conditioning of Eastern Long Island, New York, led a multi-contractor effort to provide support to the Warrior Ranch Foundation. The foundation uses equine therapy to help veterans and first responders experiencing PTSD while also providing rehabilitation to the horses in their care.
When Warrior Ranch’s facility needed some updating, Sparrow stepped in to help. Sparrow partnered with other local contractors and donated six Rheem® air handlers and two heat pump condensers to provide comfort for everyone in the Warrior Ranch building.
“It was unbelievable and so inspiring. We were able to make the veterans, first responders and volunteers at the Warrior Ranch comfortable in their building,” say Matt and Kate Sparrow, owners of Sparrow Heating & Air Conditioning. “This gives them a place to relax and reflect on the activities of the day. We had believed that was all we needed for feeling successful in a job well done.”
“We are so grateful to Rheem for recognizing our work at Warrior Ranch,” continue Matt and Kate. “This award makes you feel as though what you have chosen to do for a living is worth the effort. It is motivation to get out there and do it all again tomorrow!”
Rolls Mechanical and the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan
Rolls Mechanical in Fenton, Michigan, is helping to ensure no Michigander goes hungry. Employees regularly volunteer at local food banks, shelters and community centers in Eastern Michigan. Those volunteer hours have provided an astounding 13,920 meals for the community through the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan alone.
“At Rolls Mechanical, we believe in the power of community and the impact we can make when we come together for a common cause,” says Jim Rolls, founder and president of Rolls Mechanical.
More than 211,270 people in Michigan face hunger daily. The Food Bank of Eastern Michigan serves a network of nearly 600 hunger relief partners in 22 counties and has been committed to fighting hunger since its grassroots founding in 1981.
“Our community outreach efforts are a vital part of our mission to support and uplift our local area. Our contributions—whether financial or through volunteer efforts—provided essential resources to those in need. They are a testament to our dedication to making a positive difference in our community,” Rolls says.
2024 Ruud Difference Maker Award Winners
Allied Solutions and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Denton County, Inc.
Allied Solutions not only delivers comfort to the Denton, Texas, community but also supports Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Denton County, Inc. CASA works to build safe, secure futures and advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect.
“At Allied Solutions we serve our clients by fixing broken air conditioning systems. We also believe it is our duty to try to ‘fix’ the broken parts of this world we see right here in our community,” says Owner Phil Reese.
And Allied Solutions has truly made a mark. “Allied Solutions makes it possible for our staff and volunteers to be trained, meet, and work in a comfortable environment,” the team at CASA says. “They have always responded quickly when we needed them, even when an HVAC unit went out suddenly, threatening to derail an important volunteer training event. Allied Solutions also supports our work through sponsorship of one of our largest events to raise funds and awareness throughout the community. We couldn’t do our work without vendors who give service and support like Allied Solutions!”
“Thank you, Ruud, for awarding CASA of Denton County the Difference Maker Award! With your support, we will change the trajectory of the lives of Denton County children as they navigate the child welfare system after experiencing abuse and neglect,” Reese says. “Thanks to your incredible support, we are one step closer to ensuring that every child who needs one has a CASA by their side.”
Dole Heating & Air Conditioning and Community Response
In St. Louis, Dole Heating & Air Conditioning works with Community Response to renovate vacant and abandoned homes and provide the necessary supports for those in need to purchase them as part of the Fostering Homeownership program. Home by home, the program is building housing stability in the community. Community Response also provides social and public health programming and mental health training.
Dole also participates in an annual Giving Tuesday drive, matching donations to local charities.
“Winning the Ruud Difference Maker Award has been an incredible honor and a powerful reminder of the values that drive our business. It reinforces the belief that success isn’t just about growth but about making a positive impact on the communities we service,” says Ela Rizvic, office manager at Dole. “This recognition motivates us to keep pushing forward, not just for our own success, but to set an example for others to do the same.”
Thank you to the 2024 Difference Makers, and every Rheem and Ruud Pro Partner, for stepping up and making an impact in your communities.
