Tropic Supply and Ruud have partnered with Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration International (HARDI), Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) and four of the distributor’s suppliers to donate the HVAC system and supplies needed for SGT Justin Callahan’s home in Jupiter, FL. Sporlan, Evergreen/Regal, Nu-Calgon and Refrigeration Technologies donated a percentage of certain product sales in May and June to help with the effort.

SGT Justin and Katie Callahan during a Tropic Supply “Meet the Callahans” Zoom meeting

Justin Callahan joined the Army as a combat engineer at the age of 18 in 2000, with the desire to do something meaningful for his country. He served in Korea before deploying to Afghanistan in 2003 with B Company, 41st Engineer Battalion, 10th Mountain Division. On Jan. 15, 2004, SGT Callahan was conducting route clearance operations outside of Bagram Airfield when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off. SGT Callahan lost his left leg as a result of the blast. Following his injury, Justin endured several surgeries and months of physical therapy at Walter Reed Medical Center before medically retiring in May 2004. In the years since his injury, Justin has gotten married and started a family with his wife Katie. They have two sons, Callum, who was born in 2016 and Connor, born in 2019. Justin completed a master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Florida Atlantic University and continues to serve Veterans as a Social Worker at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. Justin enjoys attending church with his family, fishing, exercising, weightlifting, and swimming. Justin believes the gift of a new home will enable him to maintain his health and be a productive member of society. He plans to use his degree to work with other Veterans transitioning into civilian life, and he and Katie would like to expand their family. Additionally, the financial freedom of the home will give them the opportunity to save for their sons’ futures.

HARDI is a not-for-profit international organization serving wholesaler-distributors and their suppliers within the HVACR industry. HARDI is the Official Supplier of HVAC for Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), the Massachusetts-based organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide to severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.