ABC News Today

FARMINGTON — A popular annual gift drive run by a Farmington business is back for a fourth year just as cold weather hits San Juan County.

Robbins Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. is once again accepting nominations for the program, through which a local family will have a new Coleman heating system installed in their home. This is the fourth year of the program and its popularity continues to grow.

Robbins HVAC owner Michelle Robbins said she expects the company to receive approximately 120 nominations this year. When the program began in 2019, 40 nominations were received, while this number doubled to 80 in the second year. Last year, 113 nominations were received.

“We’re hoping it will pick up again based on familiarity with the program in the community,” Robbins said.

Nominations for the program are accepted through the company’s website at robbinshvaconline.com/wecare. Those wishing to print and complete the form may also drop it off in person at the company’s headquarters at 1317 Schofield Lane in Farmington during business hours on weekdays.

People can nominate themselves or others for the program, according to a company press release. To be eligible for the program, nominees must own their own single-family home. Rentals, businesses and multi-family homes are not eligible. Nominations will be accepted until November 9.

The nomination period opened on Oct. 26, and Robbins said three nominations had already been received by the next day. She hopes many others will follow.

“Hopefully the word will spread and that will help us get more nominations,” he said.

Once all nominations are received, three finalists will be selected. Company representatives will then conduct site visits to the three homes to determine if the furnace installation will be possible and successful. The winner of this year’s oven will be announced on the company’s Facebook page on November 24.

Last year’s winner was an elderly woman who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and had no heat in her home the previous two winters. Being able to help people in these types of situations is what makes the program worthwhile, Robbins said.

“My favorite part of the process is the ability to give back to the community,” she said. “We believe that every successful business should give back.”

Robbins noted that when his company was named 2021 Company of the Year in February by the Farmington Chamber of Commerce, chamber officials told him the bakery gift program was a big factor in the decision.

Mike Easterling can be reached at 505-564-4610 or measterling@daily-times.com. Support local journalism with a digital subscription: http://bit.ly/2I6TU0e.