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Northshore Power Systems (NSPS), the exclusive licensee of Honeywell Generators, donated a 4000 watt portable generator to Aldine Y.O.U.T.H. Youth Community Center, in the community of Aldine, just outside of Houston.

The Honeywell HW4000 portable generator was formally presented at the monthly meeting of the Aldine Improvement District, Thursday, Sept. 24.

Sylvia Bolling, Director of the Center, accepted the donation from Clyde Bailey and Weldon Bailey, who sell Honeywell Generators at their hardware center, Jed’s Hardware.

“We are aware of how hard Houston was hit last year during Hurricane Ike, and in fact, there was a run on generators,” said Wayne Morgan, NSPS National Accounts Manager, who initiated the donation. “Since Sylvia’s organization does so much good for the community of Aldine, we wanted to make sure she had emergency backup power available, not only in the event of a hurricane, but for any other power outage. In an emergency situation where power is needed, our generator will allow Sylvia and her crew to continue to help others.”

“It’s so wonderful to have this,” Bolling said, noting that within a two-mile radius of the center are five subdivisions, five apartment complexes, and 11 schools, where the majority of students are economically disadvantaged.

Bolling recalled when a hurricane blew through shortly after the center opened, and as power outages struck, members of the community looked to the center for help with shelter, food, diapers, and the like. “We are the only community center and to have a generator to continue to serve the community in times of need is priceless,” she said.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ike, Jed’s Hardware had a run on their generators. NSPS responded by sending a truckload directly to the store, resulting in more than 200 people waiting in line for the shipment to arrive. Unfortunately, the truck was stopped at the city limits and couldn’t be delivered until the next day. Weldon Bailey quickly ran off numbered rain checks to those waiting in line. When the truck finally arrived, the crew of Jed’s stayed past midnight stocking the generators and opened for business the next day to the returning customers. Jed’s also passed out water and snacks to the waiting customers.

“We looked at it almost as a public service,” Bailey said. “Other stores in the area were closed and we felt we needed to be there for those who needed supplies.”

“We were glad to partner with Jed’s Hardware to get the generators here in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike,” Morgan said. “We are pleased to further help the community with this generator donation to Sylvia’s organization that also helps so many others.”