Nationwide — Victoria Dickerson, an African American grandmother from Caroline County, Virginia who cares for her 2 great-grandsons, received a free air conditioning system after her story aired on local news, sparking an outpouring of support from the community.
Dickerson had been living without central air conditioning for weeks after her system broke down during the summer heat. She cares for her 3- and 4-year-old great-grandsons and was doing her best to keep them cool.
“It’s like an oven,” Dickerson told WTVR. “I can’t think in here, I don’t want to cook in here because of the heat.”
With no working AC, Dickerson relied on a portable unit and daily trips to the pool. At night, she slept on the floor beside the boys to stay cool. Her long-time HVAC company declined to repair the system and instead quoted nearly $10,000 for a full replacement, an amount she could not afford.
Out of options, Dickerson shared her story with CBS 6. Less than a day after the story aired, support poured in. Local businesses offered free installation services, and individual donors contributed money to help her. The HVAC company F.H. Furr installed a brand-new air conditioning system in her home at no cost.
“I am overwhelmed with all the love so many have sent my way and can’t say thank you enough,” Dickerson said. “This is nothing short of a blessing and will be a huge help to me and my great-grandsons.”
Since the system was donated, Dickerson has asked GoFundMe donors to request refunds, as she no longer needs financial assistance for the AC.