Feel the Love

October 2025: Ellen Grucella

For years, Ellen has been a quiet but constant force of good in the Lancaster and Depew community. A Brownie and Girl Scout leader for five years, she volunteered at the Depew Community Center, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and the Lancaster/Depew Soccer Club. She made history as the only woman to hold the position of Secretary for the Lancaster/Depew Baseball Club, helping with sign-up events, snack stands, sponsors, and end-of-season awards.

For the past two years, she has dedicated time to her local food pantry, personally ensuring that perishables were distributed in refrigerator bags — donations she helped source herself from local companies.

Ellen’s life has not been without its heartbreaks. Her son was diagnosed with a Chiari Malformation requiring brain surgery during his middle school years and lived with numerous disabilities throughout his life. In 2012, when he was just 21 years old, he passed away from Neuroendocrine Carcinoma.

Since 2022, Ellen’s own health has declined significantly, leaving her unable to work. A surgery meant to help her led to additional complications, including a broken knee during recovery. Too young to collect social security and without insurance coverage for her knee or new glasses, she has sold plasma twice a week for two years just to make ends meet.

With her furnace aging and in need of repairs, we were honored to give Ellen the peace of mind she so deeply deserves — a warm home and one less thing to worry about, on us.

“I’m so overwhelmed right now. This is wonderful news. I’ve been saying many prayers.” – Ellen Grucella, 2025 Feel the Love® Recipient

October 2025: Catherine Rivera

Catherine is a community leader who has spent her life building something beautiful for others — and who now finds herself in need of a little support in return.

She and her late husband poured their hearts into West Side Little League Football and cheerleading, working full-time jobs while spending every spare moment building an organization that gave families a safe, welcoming place for their children to learn and grow. Their dedication created something that extended far beyond the playing field.

In the spring of 2025, Catherine lost her husband. In the midst of her grief, she has continued to show up for the league — working to keep his spirit alive in the program they built together.

Throughout the entire winter of 2024, her home had no working furnace. She had planned to address it this year, but the loss of her husband made that goal even harder to reach. We were honored to step in and make sure she heads into the next season with warmth, comfort, and one less thing to worry about.

“I’m so excited we’re finally able to get her heat.” – Catherine’s Niece, Melissa

October 2024: Mike and Coleen Peeters in Hamburg

Mike is a former Marine who sustained damage to his ears and leg in service to this country. After returning home, he worked full-time and attended school full-time simultaneously, determined to build something of his own — and he did. He still runs his business today, taking pride in doing every job thoroughly and well. In recent years, health challenges have slowed his pace, but Mike isn’t the type to give up. He’s moving forward, one step at a time.

Coleen is extraordinary in her own right. She has donated plasma several days a week for decades, but her plasma is uniquely special — it’s used to create injections that protect pregnancies. Without these shots, thousands of women’s bodies would have rejected their pregnancies. Because of Coleen’s generosity, countless healthy babies have been born and thrived. She has also remained a steadfast bookkeeper and manager for an employer who has operated week-to-week since the COVID pandemic, never knowing if closure is around the corner.

Their furnace was 35 years old. They had never had air conditioning. Their lovingly maintained 1800s home deserved better — and we were honored to give it to them.

October 2023: Karen Sickau

In 2023, our Emerald team was honored to bring Feel the Love® to Karen Sickau and her family. Karen’s story of quiet dedication and resilience touched our entire team deeply, and the smiles that filled her home on installation day reminded us exactly why this program means so much to us. Karen, we are grateful for you — and we hope your home stays warm for many years to come.

October 2022: Ruth

Every great tradition has to start somewhere. In 2022, Emerald joined Feel the Love® for the very first time — and Ruth was the neighbor who inspired us to keep coming back every single year. The feeling of showing up for someone who truly deserved it has never left us. Ruth, you started something special. We are so glad you are warm.

What a Recipient Receives

Selected recipients receive a brand-new Lennox Merit Series heating or cooling system, installed completely free of charge by the Emerald team:

• A premium Lennox Merit Series heating or cooling system at no cost to the recipient
• Full professional installation — all labor, time, and expertise donated by our team
• Lennox Warranty Your Way® protection, so recipients are covered long after we leave
• A safe, comfortable home — which is really what it’s all about

Do you know someone in the Depew or greater Buffalo area who goes above and beyond for others — a neighbor, a caregiver, a veteran, a volunteer — who could use the gift of a comfortable home? We’d love to hear their story.

Nominations are reviewed annually, and every story matters to us!

Submit A Nomination