'She is an amazing individual': New HVAC system donated to Augusta doctor, foster mom, veteran

Miguel Legoas, Augusta Chronicle
·2 min read

Nicole Nelson is many things: a veteran, a foster mom, a local family medicine doctor, and now the proud owner of a new HVAC system.

Lennox, a national heating and cooling company, awarded Nelson with this new system as part of their 'Feel the Love' program and had it installed Tuesday by their local dealer, Sig Cox.

This surprise was perfectly timed for Nelson.

"My upstairs one was actually broken, and my downstairs one is as old as the house, so it's been on the fritz," she said with a laugh.

This program involves local Lennox dealers who want to give back to those who have given so much to others in the community. It's the first time an Augustan has been a recipient, according to Lennox District Manager Larry Blake.

Dr. Nicole Nelson plays with her kids as Sig Cox Heating and Air and Lennox install a free HVAC system in her home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Nelson is a single mother of four children and one foster care child and is the recipient of Lennox's national Feel the Love give away.
Dr. Nicole Nelson plays with her kids as Sig Cox Heating and Air and Lennox install a free HVAC system in her home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Nelson is a single mother of four children and one foster care child and is the recipient of Lennox's national Feel the Love give away.

Nelson is a former U.S. Army major, a local family medicine doctor, and a single mother of four adopted children so far with a fifth adoption in the works. These were just some of the details spelled out by Father Mark Ross of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church who nominated her.

"Nicole is a member of our church. She is an amazing individual," Ross wrote in his nomination. "She is a caring individual trying to make a difference in these children's lives and to make the world a better place for everyone."

Nelson said she doesn't feel worthy of this kind of honor, but it's been amazing and it's reminded her how important it is for parents to have a good community around them.

Sig Cox employees install a free HVAC system outside Dr. Nicole Nelson's home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Sig Cox partnered with Lennox as a part of their Feel the Love national give away.
Sig Cox employees install a free HVAC system outside Dr. Nicole Nelson's home on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Sig Cox partnered with Lennox as a part of their Feel the Love national give away.

"That's how this happened," she said. "You can't be a single parent unless you have friends and people you can call on. Parenting is not an island."

Nominations have closed for this year. Sig Cox President Jeff Miller said they will be working to make sure Nelson isn't the last recipient, putting a lot more marketing behind the program with the hopes of helping a few families come this time next year.

For more information, go to feelthelove.com.

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This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta doctor, veteran, foster mom wins new HVAC from Lennox