Sometimes the most important improvements aren’t the ones you see right away—but they’re the ones that make everything else possible.
Over the past several months, our property team has been quietly working on a critical facility upgrade: replacing our walk‑in cooler and freezer. While it may not be the most visible project, it is one of the most essential investments we’ve made to support our daily operations.
Why This Upgrade Was Needed
Our previous walk‑in cooler had reached the end of its useful life. Persistent leaks and internal deterioration made it increasingly unreliable, inefficient, and costly to maintain. Simply put, it was no longer capable of safely and consistently supporting our needs.
When equipment like this begins to fail, the risk isn’t just inconvenience—it’s disruption. For our work to continue smoothly, we depend on reliable, safe cold storage every single day. Replacing the cooler wasn’t optional; it was critical infrastructure.
A Big Project with a Creative Solution
Installing a new walk‑in cooler turned out to be more complex than a simple swap. To make installation possible, part of a wall had to be removed so the unit could be brought in from the outside—a solution that required careful planning, coordination, and a lot of hands‑on work.
Today, the new cooler and freezer box are fully in place, with final Freon installation coming next. Once complete, the unit will be fully operational and ready to serve us for many years to come.
What’s Better About the New Cooler?
While the capacity remains the same, nearly everything else is an improvement.
- ✅ Dramatically more energy‑efficient, reducing long‑term operating costs
- ✅ Structurally sound and safe, replacing units that had begun to rot
- ✅ Reliable temperature control, protecting the supplies and resources we depend on
This upgrade strengthens our ability to operate efficiently, responsibly, and sustainably—something that directly benefits everyone we serve.
Gratitude for Generosity and Teamwork
This project was made possible through the generous support of Nancy and Ron Wartick, whose funding allowed us to address this urgent need. Their commitment ensures that our facilities remain safe, functional, and ready to support our mission. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and belief in our work.
We also want to recognize the incredible efforts of our staff and volunteers who brought this project to life:
Demolition Team
Brian Preston, Kevin Davis, Cody Austin, Steve Sheston, Mike Roling, Robert Kies, and Ryan Graney
Installation Team
Steve Sheston and Owen Leeser
This was truly a team effort—one that required flexibility, problem‑solving, and many hours of hands‑on work.
