Local veteran gets free furnace after going weeks without heat

MONONGAHELA, Pa. — A local Korean War veteran will no longer have to go without heat this winter, thanks to Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Gillece Services.

For the past four weeks, Jesse McDonald, who turns 80 this year, went without heat after his heater broke, and he couldn’t afford a new one.

“It was 65 degrees in here, by golly, and my COPD started acting up,” said McDonald, who has severe arthritis.

McDonald said he called the VFW for help, and a week later, a Gillece Services truck pulled into his driveway in Monongahela.

Gillece Services has a program in partnership with the VFW to help veterans in need, and McDonald was a perfect candidate.

“At the end of the day, it's something small. He fought for us. It’s a great feeling to be able to do this for these guys,” said Gillece Services Operations Manager Tom Eshenbaugh.

Gillece Services has donated four furnaces to local veterans over the last year.

In order to qualify for a free furnace, the veteran in need must have been honorably discharged, meet financial qualifications, own their property and go through their local VFW.

While this year's program was designated for Allegheny County veterans, Gillece Services said a special accommodation was made for McDonald because of the circumstance.