SAN ANTONIO — Nearly two weeks after thieves stole the main air conditioning unit from a historic west-side church, a local HVAC company stepped in to bring both relief and restoration.

St. James AME Church, a longtime staple in the San Antonio community, had its 5-ton air conditioning unit stolen overnight on Aug. 2 . With replacement costs well beyond their means, the congregation feared they'd be left to sweat through the final stretch of summer.

But after KENS 5 aired the story, viewers responded with compassion and action.

“People were surprised and were like, ‘Oh no, they did this to a church?’” said Pastor Cynthia Ladson of St. James AME Church. “From there, the conversation went, ‘Well, I’ve got a 5-ton condenser,’ and then somebody else said, ‘I can install it!’”

Pastor Lads

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