At Maertin Heating & Cooling, we know our customers and neighbors are something really special. In almost every home we visit, we see a passion for helping our community, whether it’s for providing families with food and clothing, improving the environment or spurring economic development. With all those varied interests, it may be difficult to find one organization to support and you may feel pulled in all directions to donate and volunteer.
Maertin Heating & Cooling would like to introduce you to ShareFest. This “one stop shop” not-for-profit organization is doing not just one big thing, not just two big things, but is helping our community in many ways throughout the year.
Helping Families
In just one year, ShareFest provided over 376,000 meals in our community, distributing over 225 tons of food! While any food is gratefully accepted, we know that many families have difficulty procuring proteins. Please consider donating these nutritious items:
- Canned tuna or salmon
- Canned chicken, turkey or ham
- Peanut butter
- Canned baked beans
- Canned chili
- Canned fruit and vegetables
- Pasta noodles and spaghetti sauce
- Complete microwaveable meals such as Hormel
ShareFest also distributes gently used clothing, books and household items. Clothing in all sizes, all seasons and all genders are appreciated; winter coats, gloves, mittens, hats and scarves are especially needed this time of year.
Do you have surplus seeds from your vegetable gardening? The We WILL Grow program would love to have them. This community gardening program helps students integrate growing their own food with common core and science classes including nutrition.
Helping Economic Development
Building our economy doesn’t just mean starting a business or opening a big shopping mall. It also means jobs. In the last year, ShareFest helped over 200 people secure employment in the area. ShareFest can help with resumes, interview skills and job search workshops.
Improving the Environment
The We WILL Grow program also helps educate our kids about the importance of pollination and rain gardening. Understanding the effect that weather, irrigation, bees, butterflies, other insects and so much more have on our changing climate is vital to helping stabilize our planet’s future.
ShareFest is also committed to keeping usable items out of landfills. The “Recyclepalloza” event in Will County collects reusable and recyclable items to keep them out of the waste stream and give them another life.
You can help ShareFest and make a real difference in our community by donating or becoming a sponsor. Start off the new year by giving yourself some very positive feelings by volunteering. You might offer to be a driver delivering food, pack meal boxes for families, manage a collection drive or teach kids to grow tomatoes! Whatever your strengths are, ShareFest will find a place for you.
Maertin Heating & Cooling would like to thank you for your commitment to our family-owned local business this year. We are so grateful for your business and for your families. We wish you Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!
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