QUEEN CREEK, Ariz. — A Valley veteran and his family received a brand new air conditioning system on Wednesday courtesy of ACE Home Services.
This is the fifth year ACE Home Services has done a giveaway where community members nominate veterans in need of air conditioning.
Former Marine Shanen Dunagan said he and his family have had issues with their air conditioner for the past four years, calling several companies to make repairs.
Dunagan served in the Marine Corps from 1994-2004 and is 100% disabled so he said he wasn't ever able to physically check the "patchwork" done by the companies he hired.
"For me, it's been very frustrating just wanting to provide for my family and give them the comfort of home," Dunagan said. "On one aspect, to be taken advantage of, to where we think it's fixed, and it's not, and it's just band-aid after band-aid after band-aid."
The family said it's common for their household to be 87 degrees and said they've had to split the family on opposite sides of the home because the common living areas haven't been cool enough for everyone to gather.
The new air conditioning system came about after Monica Dunagan, his wife, entered a giveaway where she shared the impact her husband has had on the lives of other veterans through an organization they run called Survivors of War Ministries.
"He dedicates everything he does for veterans and their families, and he does a lot with PTSD and suicide, and we literally 24 hour hotline," Monica Dunagan explained. "He's always giving, giving, giving, and our AC has always been the biggest problem."
According to Survivor of War Ministries, the organization also helps disabled police officers, firefighters and first responders who were injured in the line of duty.
Monica Dunagan said she and her husband are still in shock over the new air conditioner installment but grateful the blessing.
"I'm extremely happy that I can take this burden off of my husband," Monica Dunagan said.
Shanen Dunagan said he looks forward to having his family gather more often and host more veterans inside their home.
"This brings us back to being closer, brings us back to the heart of the home, which is our kitchen and family room area," said Shanen Dunagan. "I'll gain, I'll gain a few more pounds because my wife will cook more during the summer."
Tim Cannon with ACE Home Services said the company was "happy to be able to help" and noted veterans who were nominated would get special discounts for veterans.
"We are very thankful for the things Shanen does and all the veterans out there," Cannon expressed.
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