The Joseph S Groh Foundation joined forces with GW Berkheimer and Just in Time Heating and Air Conditioning of Sandwich, Illinois to help a former union ironworker who was paralyzed after a bicycle accident.

Richard Sakalas of Crest Hill, Illinois (near Chicago) was paralyzed while riding his mountain bike in the Palos Forest Preserves in June, 2018, one month before his retirement. Rick was a member of Ironworkers Local 1, and during his career worked on a number of signature projects. Some of these included the First Baptist Church in Hammond, Indiana, Salem Baptist Church in Chicago, and the University of Chicago Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine building in Chicago.

GW Berkheimer provided an Armstrong Air 80% AFUE furnace, and 16 SEER air conditioning system to replace Rick’s 25-year-old system. Just-In-Time Heating and Air Conditioning of Sandwich, Illinois donated their labor to install the system. Meanwhile, the Joseph S Groh Foundation provided funding toward a remodel that combined two smaller bedrooms into a larger one, while adding an accessible bathroom. Richard’s wife Debi was diagnosed with cancer in 2019, so the assistance provided by these two projects helps them afford outside caregivers, which are not covered by insurance.

GW Berkheimer was founded in 1937, and is a leading supplier of HVACR products and solutions throughout Chicago and Northern Indiana. Just in Time Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service HVAC/Plumbing/Remodeling Services contractor, serving DeKalb and Kendall County for 20+ years.

The Joseph S. Groh Foundation is a 501c3 public charity, dedicated to providing information and financial assistance for to those in the contracting trades who are living with a life altering disabilities. The Joseph S Groh Foundation has provided nearly $700,000 to individuals needing assistance in 30 states, since their founding in 2009. For more information, please visit our website www.josephgrohfoundation.org or contact us via e-mail hope@josephgrohfoundation.or or by phone: 214-998-9749.