This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Draper • Santa Claus came early to the home of Dawna and Brent Olsen, whose house had been frigid for days after their old furnace gave up the ghost.
The Olsens have had a rough time the last few years. Brent lost his job in Utah three years ago and this spring, he was hospitalized without medical insurance. It's left them with a lot of debt and not much cash to spread around.
Brent has been living with in-laws in California, where he found contract work as a computer security specialist.
When the furnace went on the blink last week, Dawna wasn't sure how she and the couple's four children would get through it. Three are in college and one is in high school.
Fortunately, Dawna called Action Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning. The firm set her up with electric space heaters last week to keep the house above freezing.
But when Dawna learned the furnace and air ducts needed to be replaced for about $7,000, she wasn't sure what to do.
"There is no way we could handle the expense of a new furnace," she said. "But we'd do everything we could to somehow get through this."
Nate DiPalma, a spokesman for the plumbing and heating company, said Action could not ignore the Olsens' plight.
"They're just a great family," he said. "The kids said they'd be willing to sell their school books to pay for the furnace, not realizing it would cost $7,000."
The folks at Action then conspired with Brent in California. They helped bring him back to Utah and got him to dress him up as Santa Claus Friday to present Dawna with the new furnace.
She was overjoyed when DiPalma rang her doorbell and presented her with the new furnace. But she didn't recognize Brent decked out as Santa Claus. Then he pulled down his beard and it was hugs and kisses.
"A furnace for free? This is a wonderful Christmas surprise," Dawna said. "And you brought my husband home. This is the best Santa ever."
Dawna said she already was impressed with the heating and plumbing company for providing the space heaters.
"It was amazing to have someone take a personal interest," she said. "They really cared that we didn't have heat in our house."
Brent, who will get to spend the holidays with his family, said he was "really grateful" for the new furnace.
"But more than that, I'm just super surprised. I wouldn't expect this in a million years," he said. "I think it's great. They've helped us in a time of real need."